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Microfiche 

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Collection  de 
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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


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D 
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Quality  indgaie  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppl^mentaire 

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10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


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ginirositA  de: 


Univonity  of  Alberta 
Edmonton 

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University  of  Alberta 
Edmonton 

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de  la  nettetA  de  l'exemplaire  filmA,  at  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


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originaux  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  <— »>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
derniire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  ^^-  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


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different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  loft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmis  &  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichi.  il  est  film^  A  partir 
de  I'angle  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


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THE 


YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS 


OF    THE    KLONDIKE 


BY 


EDWARD   S.  ELLIS,  A.  M. 

Author  of  "  True  to  His  Trust,"  "  Comrades  True,"  etc. 


ILLUSTRATED    BY    F.   A.   CARTER 


THE    PENN   PUBLISHING    COMPANY 
PHILADELPHIA  MDCCCXCIX 


Copyright,  j8g8,  by 
DOUBLEDAY  &   McCLURE  CC 


Copyright  1899  nv  The  Penn  Purlishing  Company 


"•*^y  •f  T«  MilWttiy 
•f  ALBEIT* 


1 


CONTENTS. 


if' 

4 


1 


CHAP. 

I.  Lv  ;he  Days  of  '49 g 

II.  The  Passing  Years jg 

III.  .At  Juneau o-^ 

Of 

IV.  Up  the  Lynn  Canal 59 

V.  The  Avalanche.  . .  «-. 

b« 

VI.  Through  Chilkoot  Pass 7^ 

VII.  A  SuiNiFicANT  Discovery 97 

VIII.  The  Plotters ^^ 

IX.  On  Lake  Bennet jQg 

X.  Into  British  Territory ^q 

XL  At  White  Horse  Rapids ug 

XII.  On  the  Yukon , jgg 

XIII.  At  Dawson  City jg- 

XIV.  On  the  Edge  of  the  Gold  Fields 143 

XV.  Prospecting |gj 

^^^•^^^-^'^ • 159 

XVILTheCladl jg^ 

XVni.  A  Golden  Harvest j^g 

*3*   ' 


2037246 


4  CONTENTS. 

PAOE. 

XIX.  A  Startling  Discovery i85 

XX.  The  Trail  into  the  Mountains 192 

XXI.  A  Sound  from  out  the  Stillness 199 

XXII.  A  Turning  of  the  Tables 206 

XXIII.  Plotting  and  Scheming 213 

XXIV.  A  Slip 235 

XXV.  What  Can  it  Mean  ? 251 

XXVI.  In  a  Hole 271 

XXVII.  A  Lion  in  the  Path 287 

XXVIII.  A  General  Settlement  of  Accounts...  296 
XXIX.  Conclusion 304 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKEES 

OF   THE   KLONDIKE. 


CHAPTER  I. 


IN    THE    DAYS    OF    '49. 

It  was  about   the  middle  of  the  winter  of 

1848  that   gold  was  discovered  in  California, 

and  some  months  later  the  rush  began  which 

drew  swarms  from  every  i)art  of  the  civilized 

world.     Among    these    were    thousands   from 

the  Atlantic  States,  who  found  their  wavto  the 

Pacific  coast  by  the  long,  dangerous  vova^'e 

around  Cape  Horn,  or  by  wagon  train  over  the 

prairies,  mountains   and  rivers   that  separate 

the  two  oceans.     A  ftei-  a  time,  the  long  voyage 

was  halved  by  the  tram])  across  the  Isthmus 

of  Panama,  but   the  sufferings  and  liardships 

attending   all    three  routes   were  far   beyond 

what  people  in  these  days  would  imagine. 


THE  YOUSG  GOLD  SEEK  Eli  S. 


The  Great  Ovcrhiiul  Tniil,  us  it  was  called, 
stretched  from  the  Missouri  to  the  borders  of 
the  Golden  State,  with  the  Oregon  Trail  lead- 
ing to  the  northward,  winding  across  plains, 
through  wild  mountains  and  over  deep,  nipid 
streams,  and  requiring  several  months  for  the 
emigrant  trains  to  traviTse.  In  nddition  to 
the  violent  changes  of  climate,  the  storms,  gales 
and  snowfalls,  the  people  were  exposed  to 
perils  from  the  fierce  Indians,  who  hovered 
about  the  companies,  attacking  when  chance 
offered,  and  sometimes  succeeding  in  mas- 
sacring entire  parties,  whose  bones  lay  bleaching 
in  storm  and  sunlight  through  the  long  years 
that  followed  and  served  as  an  impressive 
warning  to  those  who  came  after  them. 

One  of  the  emigrant  trains  which  moved  out 
from  Independence,  Missouri,  early  in  the  sum- 
mer of  18rl:9,  was  noteworthy  in  more  than  one 
respect.  In  the  first  ])lace,  its  number  was  un- 
usually small,  consisting  of  only  twelve  men, 
six  women  and  two  children.  Its  peculiarity 
in  this  respect  caused  many  prophecies  of  dis- 
aster by  its  friends,  and  the  members  were 
urofed  to  attach  themselves  to  one  of  the  laro-e 
companies  which  at  that  time  left  Independ- 


I 


4 


I 


/.V   TlIK  DA  YS  OF  '49.  J 

ence  almost  daily.  T\\o  ndvico,  however,  was 
not  tollowe.l,  and  the  party  kc^pt  tog-ether  with- 
out increase   of  strength  throughout  the  long 

journey. 

One  reason    for  this   seeming  exclusiveness 

was  that   th(^  do/cn  julults  believed  t!iat,   by 

keeping  to  themselves,   they   would  really   be 

stronger  than  if  they  united  with  nnyeompany. 

Where  the  emigrants   were  so  nmiierous,  they 

were  clogged  in  their  actions  by  their  inexpcri- 

ence.     This  exjmsed  them  to  disasle.'  fiom  the 

beginning,  I'or  tlxn-e  was  a  lack  ol  caution  due 

to  this  ignorance,   and  i-isks  were  sure  to   be 

taken  that  vetei-ans  would  have  shunned. 

Ten  of  the  twelve  adults  were  veteran  plains- 
men, and  several  of  them  were  noted  as  trap- 
pers, hunters,  and  Indian  fighters.  Thev  were 
well  armed  and  mounted,  and  whei^e  human 
alertness  and  woodcraft  could  detect  danger, 
they  were  sure  to  detect  it.  Knowing  what 
was  certain  to  be  encountered,  they  made  com- 
plete preparations  for  it.  The  three  wao-ons 
were  as  strong  and  well  made  as  was  possible; 
the  oxen  that  dragged  them  slowly  across  the 
limitless  plains  were  tougi»,  powerful  and  w^ell 
cared  for;  the  horses  that  kept  them  company, 


! 


THK  YOU  SO  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


1 1 


and  when  necessary  i^tive  help,  were  of  the  finest 
stock,  ti  number  being  blooded  animals  from 
Kentucky,  capable  of  great  speed  and  wonder- 
ful endurance ;  there  was  an  abundant  supply 
of  arms  and  ammunition,  clothing  and  the  in- 
dispensable needs  of  such  an  enterprise.  Of 
course,  they  depended  largely  for  food  upon 
the  game  that  could  be  shot  on  the  road.  At 
that  time,  buffaloes  roamed  the  prairies  by  the 
hundred  thousand,  and  antelo[)e,  deer  and  other 
animals  were  nearly  always  in  sitrht.  When 
it  is  remembered  that  most  of  the  men  were 
expert  rifle  shots  and  hunters,  it  will  be  under- 
stood that  none  of  the  members  of  the  company 
ever  suffered  for  food. 

The  two  adults  who  could  not  be  counted 
among  the  veterans  were  Mr.  George  Palmer, 
who  afforded  in  himself  an  example  of  the 
strange  mistakes  often  made  by  men  in  ventur- 
ing upon  the  most  trying  expeditions,  when 
they  never  ought  to  l-'ave  their  own  homes. 
He  was  in  poor  health,  consumptive,  weak  and 
unfitted  in  every  way  to  undertake  the  danger- 
ous journey.  But  he  was  controlled  by  the 
belief  that  the  trip  would  do  him  good,  even- 
tually restore  him  to  sound  health,  and  prob- 


IN  THE  DAYS  OF  '49. 


9 


ably  enable  him    to  iv;t{)  an  abuiulaiit  harvest 
of  gold,  and   lie  slicccmmUmI  in   winning  his  pa- 
tient wife  to  his  way  of  thinking.     With  them 
went  the  only  two  children  of  the  company, 
Roswell,  a  chubby  youngster  of  seven  years, 
and  Edith  two  years  younger.     They  were  the 
sunshine  of  the  party,   pets  with  tlie  grizzled 
hunters,  who  fondled  and  caressed  th(Mn    with 
an  affection  as  deep  as  that  of  their  parents, 
and  were  ready  to  risk  their  lives  at  any  time 
for  their  sake.     They  deserved   all  this  love, 
for  they  were  sweet  and   winsome,  but  there 
was  danger  of  their  being  spoiled  through  the 
overwhelming  affection  and  indulgence  shown 
them. 

The  remaining  member  of  the  company,  who 
could  hardly  be  ranked  among  the  veterans, 
has  a  leading  part  to  play  in  the  following 
pages,  and  deserves  tlierefore  some  attention. 
His  name  was  Jefferson  Graham,  and  he  was 
only  sixteen  years  old.  His  pai-ents,  who  lived 
in  St.  Louis,  died  during  his  infancy,  and  he  was 
left  to  shift  for  himself.  That  he  possessed 
sterling  qualities  was  proven  by  the  fact  that 
he  never  drank,  was  clean  of  speech,  strictly 
honest  and  truthful,  and  not  the  least  of  all, 


I 


10 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


if.' 

I 


1 


was  as  daring  as  a  lion.  Even  in  his  youth,  it 
mio'ht  be  said  of  him  tliat  he  knew  not  the 
meaning  of  fear. 

Jeff  drifted  to  tlie  West,  where  he  caught  the 
the  notice  of  the  fainons  mountaineer.  Kit  Car- 
son, who  taught  liim  .i  great  (k\al  of  woodcraft 
and  the  wavs  of  the  Ked  Men.  Tlius  the  bov 
became  a  womh^rfully  fine  rifle  shot,  a  splendid 
horseman,  and  one  of  the  best  of  hunters. 
Wht^n  all  tliis  is  rem(MnI)ered,  1  am  not  sure 
whetlier  it  is  ri^dit  for  me  not  to  ranlv.  Jeff 
among  the  veterans  of  the  emigrant  train. 
The  most  famous  of  theni,  Zelci^  IJigler  and 
Diclv'  AVarner,  dechired  he  had  no  supei'ior 
amouLi'  tliem,  but  it  was  on  account  of  his  youth 
tluit  I  clissilicd  him  as  1  did. 

The  histoi'v   of  this  eniif>'i'ant  train    was  an- 

«  CD 

Other  proof  of  th(3  wis(h,)m  of  thcjrough  prepara- 
tion before  venturing  upon  any  difficult  enter- 
prise.  While  huiuh'eds  of  sturdy  men  fell  vic- 
tims to  their  own  carelessness  and  neglect,  it 
wound  its  way  across  the  present  states  of 
Kansas,  Colorado,  Utah  and  Xevada,  into  Cali- 
fornia, without  the  loss  of  a  single  membei*. 
More  than  that,  every  animal  was  taken  along 
until  almost  at  the  end  of  the  journey,  on  the 


JJV  THE  DA  rs  OF  '49. 


11 


I 


borders  of  Nevada,  when  an  ox  became  tangled 
up  in  some  way  in  swimming  a  rapid  stream 
nnd  was  drowned. 

This  achievement  was  most  remarkable  and 
rarely  or  never  equalled.     As  I  have  already 
stated,  the  (Uingers  and  sufferings  encountered 
by  those  overhmd  i)ai'ties  were  almost  bej'ond 
description.     Deep,  swift,  unknown  mountain 
streams  had  to   be  swum,   rivers  of  uncertain 
depths  to   be   crossed,   mountains   flanked   or 
passed  by  means  of  natural  roads,   kno\vn  as 
"passes,"  and  gorges,  I'avines,  valleys  and  pre- 
cipitous places  overc(jme  in  some  way;  there 
were  days  when  the  men  and  animals  struggled 
through  fierce  snow-storms  and  had  hard  work 
to  keep  from  freezing,  only  snoi  to  pant  with 
the  smothering  haat  of  the  valleys,  to  be  again 
chilled  by  the  storms  ot  wind  and  rain  which 
saturated  everything  in  camp. 

They  never  seemed  free  from  the  danger  of 
Indians.  The  dusky  horsemen  circled  about 
on  the  prairie,  searching  f(^r  some  opening 
through  which  they  could  dasli  and  overwhelm 
the  white  peophi;  they  maih^  attacks  more 
than  once  in  the  darkness  of  night,  and  repeat- 
edly tried  to  draw  the  partv  into  a  trap  when 


12 


THE   YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


if 


\i\ 


!|. 


they  were  |)iekiiig  thei!"  way  througli  the 
mountains  ;  but  tlie  skill,  vigihmce  and  wood- 
craft of  tlie  V(;tei'aiis  carried  matters  through 
with  a  success  whicii,  as  has  been  shown,  was 
most  extraordinar\ . 

It  was  earlv  in  the  afternoon  of  a  hnhnv  dav^ 
late  in  summer,  that  tlie  company  halted  on 
the  bank  of  a  small  tributarv  of  (li'een  River 
in  the  ])reseiit  State  of  (Jtah.  Tlie  grass  was 
so  abuniUmt  and  the  water  so  clear  and  cool, 
that  it  was  decided  to  {)ause  thus  early  in  the 
dav  for  the  rest  that  the  animals  needed. 
They  had  come  a  good  many  mih^s,  and,  tie- 
spite  the  cai'e  exercised,  they  showed  the 
effects  of  the  labor  and  were  somewhat  run 
down.  A  few  days'  rest  would  do  wonders 
for  them. 

''  It  ain't  the  best  place  in  the  worUl,"  re- 
marked Zeke  Higlcr  from  thii  saddle  of  his 
blooded  mare  to  Dick  W^arner,  Je(f  (Trahani 
and  several  of  liis  friends,  "  but  since  wc  c;in't 
allers  hev  things  to  suit  us  we  must  do  the 
best  we  kin." 

All  knew  what  was  in  the  huntei''s  mind. 
While  the  grass  and  water  with  a  grove  of 
Cottonwood  within  easy  reach  made  the  camp 


,.i 


IN  THE  DAVS  OF  '49. 


IS 


an   ideal   spot   in  most  r-spects,  it  was  not  so 
secure   against   the    Indians   as  the  men  could 
wish.     The  rido-o  which  ran  north  and  south 
along   the   further   side    of   the    resting-place 
would  readily  afford  shelter  for  any  nund^erof 
their  enemies  who  had   the  ch-nice  of  stealing 
up  within  easy  rifle  range  and  picking  them  off 
without  danger  to  themselves.     I  f  the  ridge  had 
been  a  hfdf  mile  or  more  distant,   even''  Zeke 
would  have  grown  enthusiastic  over  the  loca- 
tion, but  since  it  could  not  be  helped,  the  men 
made  tlie  best  of  the  mattei-. 

But   since   it    had    been    the    intention    for 

several  days  to  make  such  a  halt  upon  the  first 

favorable  opportunity,  the  i)lainsmen  had  taken 

unusual    ])ains   to   scrutinize  the  surrounding 

country     for     "signs."     Several    had    ridden 

through  and  among  the  ridge,  searching  with 

the  utmost  care,  with  the  result  that  nothing 

to  cause  misgiving  was  discovered.     However, 

all  knew  that  ihis  could  well  be  the  case,  even 

while  a  powerful  war  party  was  waiting  for  the 

first  chance  to  dash  down  upon  them. 

So  the  wagons  were  drawn  up  in  a  rude 
circle,  as  was  the  custom  at  night,  with  a  view 
of    offering    protection    against    attack;    the 


14 


rUE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


horses  and  cattle  were  turned  loose  to  crop 
their  fill  of  the  succulent  grass,  while  the 
hunters  disposed  themselves  as  inclined  to  en- 
joy the  luxury  of  absolute  idleness.  In  this 
indulgence  of  course  there  \Yere  a  few  excep- 
tions, for  even  when  the  sun  was  shining  a 
guard  was  maintained  and  the  ridge  was 
always  under  scrutiny.  It  cannot  be  denied, 
however,  that  the  fact  that  no  sign  of  the 
Indians  had  been  discovered  for  hours  before 
caused  all  to  think  it  doubtful  whether  any 
were  in  the  neighborhood. 

Zeke  Bigler,  Dick  Warner  and  Jeff  Graham 
viewed  with  dislike  the  prospect  of  lolling  all 
the  afternoon  in  camp.  They  had  observed  a 
number  of  timid  antelope  on  the  ridge  referred 
to,  and,  when  Zeke  proposed  they  should  make 
a  hunt  for  them,  his  two  friends  gladly  ac- 
cepted the  proposition  and  they  rode  off  in 
company. 

The  antelope,  while  among  the  most  timid  of 
all  creatures,  displays  so  much  curiosity  that  it 
is  often  lured  to  its  destruction  through  that 
weakness.  It  not  beino^  likelv  that  anv  would 
be  found  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  our 
friends  rode  off  at  an  easy  gallop  along  the 


IN  THE  DA  YS  OF  '49. 


16 


eastern  side  of  the  ridge,  which  was  the  same 
as  their  camp,  and  liaving  gone  siiveral   mih^s 
crossed  the  ridg-e,  through  a  narrow  (Wy  canon 
that  Jiad    probably   once  been    the    bed    of   ;i 
stream,  and  after   a   ride   of  several   hunch'cd 
yards,  th3boucl]ed  upon  the  other  side,  wJiere 
the    country    was   more  oi^en,  though    much 
broken  by  guJlies,  valleys,  rocks  and  boulders. 
Carefully    scrutinizing    their    surroundmgs, 
the  })arty  discovered  at  the  same  moment  two 
dainty  antelope,   standing  on  an  elevation    a 
quarter  of  a  mile  distant,  and  evidently  hesi- 
tating  whether  to  dasholf  or  hold  their  ground 
for  a  little  while  longer,  until  they  could  grat- 
ify  their  curiosity  as  to   the  hunters  who  had 
suddenly  entered  their  field  of  vision. 

"  T  don  t  know  whether  it  is  worth  while," 
said  Warner,  after  watching  the  animals  for  'a 
few  minutes  ;  "  they  will  run  off  several  times 
and  lead  us  on  so  long  a  chase  that  we  won't 
get  back  to  camp  till  after  dark." 

"  What  of  it  ? "  asked  Jeff,  to  whom  nothing 
was  more  alluring  than  the  prospect  of  a  hunt 
of  this  nature ;  "  they  can  get  along  without 
us  there,  and  it  doesn't  make  any  difference 
whether  we  reach  them  before  morning." 


16 


THE  VOUyU  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i 


After  further  talk,  it  was  agreed  to  make 
the  hunt.  The  party  dismounted,  and,  taking 
diverging  routes,  began  their  cautious  approach, 
or  rather  attempt  to  approach,  the  antelope. 
It  proved  more  difficult  than  even  they  ex- 
pected, for  the  animals  were  unusually  timid. 
When  one  of  the  hunters,  lying  flat  in  the  grass 
or  among  the  boulders,  displayed  his  handker- 
chief or  hat  on  the  top  of  his  ramrod,  the  an- 
telope would  pause,  look  wonderingly  at  it, 
til  en  advance,  take  several  steps,  only  to  wheel 
about  and  speed  away  like  the  wind.  In  none 
of  these  cases  did  any  of  the  creatures  allow 
the  hunters  to  steal  close  enough  to  gain  a 
shot.  Thus  it  was  that  the  dark  starlit  night 
closed  in  and  the  three  came  together  at  the 
point  where  they  had  left  their  horses  with- 
out any  one  of  them  having  fired  a  gun. 

They  were  too  accustomed  to  such  failures 
to  mind  it  or  to  feel  any  special  disappoint- 
ment. The  effort  they  had  made  was  prefer- 
able to  dawdling  away  the  time  in  camp.  The 
well  trained  horses  had  found  good  pastur- 
age, and  so  they  lost  nothing.  The  three  men 
swung  into  their  saddles,  turned  their  animals' 
heads  toward  home  and  had  gone  a  few  paces, 


/^■  THE  DA  YS  OF  '49. 


17 


when    Zeke,    who    u-as   sli-htly    in   advance, 

checked  himself  with  a  soft  liissing  warning 

which  caused  his  companions  to  do  the  same.  ° 

"Injms!"  he  whispereil,  partly  turning  his 

head.     Dick  and  Joif  had  caught  a  twinkle  of 

light  a  little    way   ahead   and    to   the   right, 

which  all  knew  marked  a  (ii-e  kindled  by°red 

men  who  had  no  suspicion  of  the  whites,  being 

•  so  near  them. 

Sitting  side  by  side,  with  their  gaze  turned 
in  the  direction  of  the  blaze,  our  friends 
cautiously  discussed  the  situation.  It  was 
agreed  that  while  it  looked  easy  enough  to 
flank  the  hostile  camp  witliout  detectioli,  it 
was  prudent  to  make  a  reconnoissance  before 
attempting  it.  Zeke  took  upon  himself  to  do 
this,  leaving  his  horse  in  tiie  care  of  his  friends, 
while  he  stole  off  in  the  gloom. 

From  where  Dick  and  Jeil'  kept  their  saddles, 
they  could  see  a  shado\vy  figure  now  and  then' 
as  It  moved  in  front  of  the  blaze,  but  could 
observe  nothing  distinctly.  It  caimot  be  said 
that  they  felt  any  special  interest  in  the  strange 
Indians,  who  were  so  far  from  their  own  can^p 
that  no  such  thing  as  danger  was  dreamed  of 
But  in  less  than  half  an  hour,  Zeke  Bigler  came 


18 


THE  \-OU.\U  aoLI,  SEEKERS. 


back  in  a  .stat(>  of  oxc]'i<.iii..Mt     ..  i 

I        „  "-AdujiifMt  such  as  he  did 

notsho»-lory«wsutatiM„,.. 

2^^W'   hos.id    i„    .   j„„,,,    „„, 

-"';  .-u  Unnk  r    Tho  ..od.sU„s  out  there 
liave  o-ot  thoMi  tu-„  dots  of  l^dmei'.- 

"  What  !  •'  o,,.sp,.d  tl„,  others 
jn«Hyou,itisso:     There's  n,ore  than  a 
"  of  the  varmmts  an,l  the,u  litt.e  ones  are 
"'t'one.     IW  the  misehief  they  o-ot  'em  I 
can't  understand,  but  tl.eyVetheroLl., 

g"-«ayonk„o„V'headded,sinkin,h  0 

^^■1      ."-e,  "that  lujins  in   this   , Jt   of     , 
:;      "•^'^ '  ^--  '-''"'  ""^i^e  yo.lnkers  .row 


I         i 


CHAPTER  11. 


THE    PASSING    YEARS. 

It  was  true.     AVhile  not  one  of  the  three 
could  comprehend  how  it   wus  th;it   the  two 
little  ones  were  prisoners  anion-   a  i)arty   of 
Indians,  sevei>al  miles  from  their  own  camp,  it 
was  no  time  to  tiieorize  over  the  matter.     One 
cause  of  wonderment  was  that  the  captors  had 
spared  the  little  ones  so  long.     It  was  not  un- 
likely that  they  jjieant  to  have  some  amusement 
with  them,  and  probably  to  subject   them  to 
torture    before    taking   their    innocent    lives. 
I^ot  a  moment  was  to  be  lost  if  their  rescue 
Avas  to  be  attempted. 

Where  the  three  were  such  masters  of  wood- 
craft and  Indian  ways,  there  was  no  call  for 
debate.  A  few  minutes  were  all  that  were 
needed  to  agree  U])on  the  c(Hirse  to  pursue. 

It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that,  the  three  excel- 
lent rifles  carried  by  our  friends  were  the  old 
fashioned  muzzle-loaders,  and  that  after  firing 

19 


20 


TlIK   VOrxa  GOLD  SKEKKHSi. 


one  charge,  Ji  second  liad  to  he  rammed  down 
the  harrel  and  the  pcrcnssinn  caj)  phiced  on  the 
tnhe.  Kach  man  had  a  l)ull-ikjg  revolver,  which 
wea})on  was  tlien  oomiriL;'  into  use,  but  it  was 
not  of  Miucli  vahic  except  in  a  rough  and 
tumble  scriniiiiage. 

Now,  while  a  party  of  "  tenderfeet  "  might 
have  thought  the  best  c(jurse  to  pursue  was  to 
fire  upon  the  Indians  from  the  darkness,  so  as 
to  drive  them  o(f,  our  fi'ieuds  did  nothing  of 
that  nature,  for  had  thev  done  so,  the  red  men 
under  the  belief  that  probablv  thev  were  at- 
tacked  by  a  large  for(^e,  would  ])ause  long 
enough  to  tomahawk  or  shoot  the  captives  and 
then  make  off  in  the  darkness. 

Grouped  around  the  frightened  Edith  and 
her  brother  were  the  hideous  savages,  the  sight 
beino:  one  that  would  have  stirred  the  heart  of 
the  most  cruel  person.  The  warriors,  number- 
ing more  than  twelve,  had  kindled  a  fire  near 
a  small,  winding  brook,  in  a  depression  of  the 
earth,  while  they  sat  and  lolled  around  and 
grinned  and  studied  the  captives,  with  as  much 
interest  as  if  thev  had  belono'ed  to  some  race 
of  which  thev  had  nevcM'  before  heard. 

The  night   had    become  cool,  but   the   fire 


THE  rASSlMi    YEA  US. 


21 


m 


threw  out  a  <^l;ir<Mlmt  lit  up  every tli in <^-  lUMr 
will)  :lie  brightness  of  nix^iuhiy.  Sturdy  little 
Koswell  J^iihiier  stood  faciuu;-  one  of  the  Indians, 
seated  on  a  large  stone,  who  was  tryini^  to  sav^ 
something  that  the  child  could  understand. 
Ho  held  the  hand  of  his  sister  tightly  clas[)ed 
in  his  own,  while  she,  with  the  forefinger  of 
the  other  between  her  lips,  her  head  bent  and 
peering  timidly  from  under  her  eyelashes,  was 
studying  the  frightful  faces  around  her  and 
wondei'ing  what  it  all  could  mean. 

Several  of  the  warriors  uttered  strange  sounds 
and  pointed  at  tlie  frightened  children,  as  if  to 
frigiten  them  more.  Tears  would  come  into  the 
eye-  of  the  little  boy,  and  once  or  twice  his  lips 
quivei'ed,  but  lie  resolutely  mastered  his  emo- 
tions, and,  when  some  one  moved  threateningly 
toward  Edith,  he  boldly  interposed  his  bJdy 
to  shield  her  from  harm. 

By  and  by  an  Indi.'in  reached  out  his  hand 
and  violently  twitched  one  of  the  little  girl's 
curls.  She  uttered  a  cry  of  })ain,  and  the 
angry  brother  made  an  impulsive  blow  at  him 
with  his  puny  fist.  The  other  warriors  broke 
into  laughter  and  one  slapi)ed  the  boy,  carrying 
him  almost  off  his  feet.     But  fortunately  the 


22 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKEltS. 


greater  violence  and  crueltv  that  wouUI  liave 
quickly  followed  tbis  was  cut  short.  From 
out  the  gloom,  three  ligures  (Uished  with  loud 
shouts,  iiring  each  his  rifle,  when  right  among 
the  startled  redskins,  and  not  one  missed  its 
m.Mrk,  and  then  popping  away  with  their  re- 
volvers right  and  left. 

Before  tlie  Indians  could  rallv,  or  harm  their 
captives,  Jeif  Graham  had  caught  up  the  girl 
Zoke  l)igler  tlie  ])oy,  and  whirling  about  they 
ran  wn'th  headlong  speed  for  the  point  where 
they  had  left  their  liorses.  It  was  the  simul- 
taneous  firing,  shouts  and  rusb  of  the  Whites 
that  did  its  work.  In  a  twinkling,  as  may  be 
said,  they  had  come,  performed  their  task  and 
were  off  again. 

The  suddenness  of  the  whole  thing  dazed  the 
Indians  for  the  moment,  but  the  fact  th'-it  the 
little  |)arty  had  fled  as  rapidly  as  it  came  })roved 
its  weakness  and  the  cunning  Red  Men  ;  in  l(\^s 
time  than  would  l)e  supposed,  were  in  hot  pur- 
suit. Had  all  the  "Whites  been  present  they 
would  not  have  dared  to  do  this,  l)ut  the 
savages  were  numei'ous  enough  to  have  no 
further  fear  of  three  enemies  jsgainst  whom 
they  were  bent  on  revenging  themselves. 


THE  PASSING   YEMiS. 


23 


Our  friends  expected  pursuit.  The  terrified 
children,  bewildered  by  what  had  taken  place, 
cried  and  struggled  to  free  themselves  from 
their  new  captors,  unable  in  .he  gloom  and 
confusion  to  understand  that  they  were  friends, 
but  no  heed  was  paid  to  their  cries.  In  less 
time  than  would  be  supposed,  the  three  were 
in  their  saddles,  the  heads  of  their  horses 
turned  the  other  way  and  going  at  a  reckless 
rate  toward  camp. 

Since  the  pursuers  had  had  no  time  to  mount 
their  own  ])onies,  the  fugiti^'es  knew  that  many 
shots  would  be  fired  after  them  in  the  starlight, 
in  which  they  could  be  dimly  seen  and   they 
were  still  in  great  danger.     Zeke  Bigler  and 
Jeff  Graham  each  held  his  precious  charge  in 
tront  of  him,  leaning  far  over  so  as  to  press  it 
close  to  the  bfick  and  neck  of  the  horse.     Tlius 
some  of  the  fiying  bullets  might  strike  one  or 
all  three  of  the  men,  but  could  hardly  reach 
the  body  of  either  cliild.     All  this  was  in  the 
natural  course  of  events  and  was  only  one  of 
the  many  proofs  that  every  man  in  the  com- 
pany was  ready  to  risk  his  life  for  the  sake  of 
the  pets  that  had  endeared  themselves  to  all. 
Dick  Warner,  having  no  one  in  his  special 


24 


TUE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


charge,  remjiined  at  the  rear,  to  cov^er  so  far 
as  he  could,  the  flight  of  his  friends.  While 
galloping  forward,  and  taking  care  that  he  did 
not  draw  too  near,  he  loaded  and  fired  his  rifle 
as  often  as  he  could,  blazing  away  with  his 
revolver  whenever  possible,  fie  did  not  ex- 
pect to  do  any  execution  unless  by  chance  in 
this  wild  work,  but  sought  solely  to  delay  the 
pursuit.  Perhaps  he  was  taking  more  risk 
than  either  of  his  companions,  but  he  cared 
nothing  for  that. 

In  one  respect  our  friends  had  the  advan- 
tage, since  they  were  mounted  and  their  pui'- 
suers  on  foot.  Thus,  although  such  headlong 
flight  brought  its  own  peril,  the  horsemen  grad- 
ually drew  away  from  their  enemies  and  be- 
fore long  the  firing  ceased  and  the  pursuit 
ended. 

By  that  time,  the  brother  and  sister  had 
learned  they  were  in  the  hands  of  friends  and 
ceased  their  outcries.  The  horses  were  » -rought 
down  to  a  safer  gait  and  the  camp  was  reached 
without  further  incident.  There,  when  the 
little  ones  were  restored  to  their  distracted 
parents,  Zeke  Bigler  indulged  in  the  most 
vigorous  scolding  heard    since  the  overland 


I  . 


•»JV„ 


THE  PASSING  YEARS. 


25 


journey  was  beo-un,  his  iingiu'  being  directed 
mainly  against  the  men  who  had  been  left  on 
guard.  He  would  acce])t  no  excuse  for  the 
mishap  that  had  been  allowed  to  befall  the 
children,  and  declared  that  if  anything  of  the 
kind  ever  occurred  again  he  would  shoot  the 
guilty  ones. 

That  the  cliildren  had  been   carried  of!'  bv 
Indians  was  the  most  singuhir  incident  of  the 
journey   to   Califoi'uia,   and   few   of    the  men 
could    und(M'stand    how    it    came    about.     It 
seemed  that  the  father  of  the  little  ones  felt  ill 
that  afternoon  and  lay  down  on   a  couch  pre- 
pared for  him  by  his  wife  in  one  of  the  wagons. 
She  remained  at  his  side,  taking  it  for  granted 
that  the  men  would  look  after  the  childi'en,  as 
they  had  always  been  glad  to  do  when  the 
little  ones  were  allowed  to  play  by  themselves. 
Since  the  two  hunters   who  acted  as  guard 
while   their  companions  dozed,   knew  that  if 
any  danger  appeared,  it  must  be  from  the  ridge, 
they  devoted    their   attention   to  that  point. 
Wandering  aimlessly  here  and  there,  Roswell 
and  Edith,  without  a  thought  of  wrono-.doino-. 
found  their  way  down  the  gentle  bank  of  the 
stream  to  the  water.     In  the  same  aimless  man- 


26 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


ner,  they  gniduiilly  followed  the  shore,  which 
hid  them  froiii  the  sight  of  all  in  the  camp, 
until  they  reached  the  canon  where  it  passed 
through  the  ridge.  There  they  left  the  stream, 
and  not  noticing  how  the  afternoon  was  slip- 
ping away,  drifted  further  from  camp  unti 
they  must  have  gone  fully  a  mile.  Then  f  c 
the  first  time,  they  noticed  that  night  was  at 
hand,  and  in  much  alarm,  turned  to  retrace 
their  steps. 

They  had  gone  but  a  little  way,  when  they 
were  captui'ed  by  the  party  of  mounted  Indians, 
and  carried  by  them  further  into  the  depths  of 
the  solitude.  It  was  singular  that  while  they 
discov(M'ed  nothing  of  the  white  hunters  in 
their  vicinity,  thelatter  had  no  suspicion  of  the 
presence  of  the  Indians  until  the  light  of  the 
cam})- lire  revealed  them,  as  the  horsemen  were 
riding  homeward. 

The  illness  of  the  father  kept  the  mother  at 
his  side  until  night.  During  ;ill  that  time,  she 
felt  no  concern  about  her  cluhiren,  for  she  knew 
what  ps.'ts  they  were  incam|)and  what  pleasure 
it  gave  the  men  to  look  after  them.  T*^aturally 
the  latter  were  not  alarmed,  believing  the 
little  ones  were  asleep  or   \vith  their  parents. 


-i.v,_ 


THE  PASSING  YEARS. 


27 


Thus  it  came  about  that  the  discovery  of  their 
absence  was  not  made  until  night,  and  even 
then  no  one  suspected  the  truth.  It  was  sup- 
posed thej  had  \vandered  off  and  i)robably 
fallen  asleep  on  the  ])rairie.  It  was  not  deemed 
])ossible  they  had  been  made  captive  by 
Indians,  and  great  was  the  excitement  there- 
fore when  the  three  hunters  rode  into  camp 
with  their  storv. 

It  was  then   that  anothei'  remarkable  fact 
came  to  light.     Dick  AVarner,  who  covered  the 
rear  in  the  desperate  flight  from  the  Indian 
camp,  had  been  grazed  by  several  bullets  of 
their  pursuers,  but  neither  he  nor  his  horse  was 
hurt.     Zeke  Bigler  had  been  sti'uck  in  the  side 
and  was  badly  injm-cd  ;  JefT  Graham  had  been 
hit  twice  and  was  dangerously  wounded.     Yet 
neither  hinted  the  fact  until  the  little  ones  \vere 
handed  over  to  their  happy  parents,  when  Jeff 
fainted  dead  away  and  Zeke   Bigler  had  to  be 
helped  from  his  saddle  and  phiced  in  one  of  the 
wagons.     His  hui't,  as  has  been  shown,  did  not 
prevent  a  terrific   l)erating  of  the   men   who 
were  re  .ponsible  for  what  had  taken  place. 

Of  course  a  vigilant  watch  was  maintained 
throughout  the  night,  in  the  expectation  of  an 


28 


THE  YOirxG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


,  t 


*«S    A 


!  n 


'I 


attack  from  the  Indians.  Since  thev  were 
heard  in  tlie  vicinity  several  times  before  day- 
light, it  is  probable  that  this  vigila.ice  averted 
such  attack.  The  company  moved  forward  the 
next  morning,  deeming  it  best  to  select  a  sjifer 
spot  at  which  to  rest  for  several  days.  For  a 
time,  it  was  believed  by  all  that  Jeff  Graham 
mast  succumb  to  his  wounds.  Of  course  he 
received  the  tenderest  care  and  nursing,  but 
there  was  no  surgeon  in  the  company,  and  for 
a  time  he  hovered  between  life  and  death,  but 
his  sturdy  frame,  his  rugged  health  and  his 
good  habits,  stood  him  in  good  stead,  and  when, 
some  weeks  later,  the  company  broke  up  and 
scattered  for  the  gold  diggings,  Jeff  showed 
scarcely  a  trace  of  the  injuries  received  on  that 
memorable  night  in  the  Utah  solitudes. 

Varied  fortune  came  to  the  members  of  the 
little  company.  The  health  of  Koswell  Palmer 
compelled  him  to  seek  more  quiet  employment 
in  the  mining  town  of  San  Fi'ancisco.  He  was 
able  to  make  a  fairlv  comfortable  livins:  for  his 
familv,  but  five  years  after  his  arrival  on  the 
Pacific  coast,  he  succumbed  and  passed  away. 
H';'.  widow  had  a  hard  time  of  it  for  three 
yr.'iws  more,  when  she,  too,  lay  down  and  died 


THE  PASSING  YEARS. 


29 


Zeke  Bigler,  after  passing  through  so  many 
dangers,  fell  off  a  bluff  while  prospecting  in  the 
Sierras,  and  was  killed.  Dick  Warner  scraped 
enough  gold  together  to  enable  him  to  return 
east,  where  he  spent  the  rest  of  his  days. 

Jeff  Graham  had  a  hard  experience  for  a 
long  while.  Ill  luck  followed  him  everywhere, 
and  more  than  once  the  ragged  miner  was  in 
danger  of  actual  starvation.  But  for  the  kind- 
ness of  others,  he  surely  would  have  perished. 
But  in  time  his  fortunes  mended  and  he 
gathered  enough  of  the  yellow  dust  to  make  a 
visit  to  San  Francisco  to  inquire  after  his  old 
friends  the  Palmers,  in  whom  he  always  felt  a 
deep  interest.  He  was  greatly  shocked  to  learn 
that  both  father  and  mother  were  buried  and 
the  sturdy  brother,  now  a  strong  fellow  of 
fifteen,  was  working  like  a  hero  to  take  care 
of  his  sister,  wholly  dependent  upon  him. 

The  kind-hearted  Jeff  lost  no  time  in  placing 
them  in  a  comfortable  position,  his  first  inten- 
tion being  to  remain  near  them  ;  but  his  old 
longing  for  excitement  and  adventure  took 
him  to  the  mines  again,  where  his  good  luck 
remained  with  him.  He  steadily  gathered 
wealth,  making  occasional  visits  to  the  City  of 


80 


THE  YOU  NO  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i.'i 


if 


J    -ill 


the  Golden  Gate  to  see  Eoswell  and  Edith,  of 
whom  he  was  always  very  fond. 

Thus  the  years  came  and  went,  until  finally 
Jeff  felt  that  the  time  had  arrived  for  him  to 
give  up  gold  hunting.  He  carefully  invested 
his  money,  which  yielded  him  an  income 
sufficient  for  all  his  wants.  He  engaged  pleas- 
ant quarters  at  one  of  the  hotels  and  spent  his 
time  mostly  in  smoking  his  pipe,  reading  and 
talking  with  the  Argonauts  of  the  glorious 
"  days  of  '49." 

As  for  Roswell  Palmer  and  his  sister,  they 
loved  the  old  miner  as  though  he  were  their 
father.  At  rare  in  tervals  he  suffered  from  some 
ailment,  and  they  were  attentive  and  anxious 
until  he  was  fully  himself  again.  He  was  glad 
to  call  upon  them,  and,  when  Roswell  married  a 
most  excellent  woman,  old  Jeff  was  the  guest  of 
honor  and  did  not  forget  to  make  the  couple  a 
handsome  present,  doing  the  same  when  Edith 
became  the  wife  of  Herbert  Mansley. 

And  still  the  years  rolled  on.  Roswell 
Pabner  was  blessed  with  a  son,  named  for  him- 
self, and  only  a  few  months  the  junior  of  his 
cousin,  Frank  Mansley.  But  Frank's  father 
died  when  the  son  was  quite  young  and  left  the 


WIWtMWWWWW^ 


THE  PASSING  TEARS, 


31 


widow  in  modoratf}  circumstances.     ^Yith.  the 
aid  of  her   brother,   the  mother    lived   above 
want,  and  was  able  to  give  her  son  a  good  com- 
mon school  education,   he  and   IJoswell  being- 
inseparable  companions  at  school,  and  becom- 
ing    clerks   in  one  of  the  leading    dry-goods 
houses  in  the  same  week.     The  help  which  the 
ambitious  Jads  were  able  thus   to  give  their 
parents  was  welcome,  and  they  were  content  to 
settle  down  to  the  career  of  merchants,  with  the 
expected  reward  ;i  long,  long  way  in  the  future. 
Naturally  Jeff  Graham  became  very  fond  of 
the  bright,    manly  cousins.     He    would  have 
helped  them  had  it  been  necessary,  but  it  was 
not.     Both   Roswell  and    Frank  would   have 
been  delighted  to  enter  college,  but  Jeff,  from 
some  cause  held  a  bitter  prejudice  against  all 
colleges,  and  it  is  to  be  feared  he  would  have 
lowered  his  esteem  of  the  youths    had  they 
"  wasted  their  time  "  in  one  of  those  institu- 
tions of  learning. 

The  boys  never  wearied  of  listening  to  Jeff's 
stories  of  his  adventures  in  crossing  the  plains 
and  m  the  gold  diggings,  during  the  early  days 
of  California.  The  experience  of  the  father  of 
one  and  the  mother  of  the  other  was  of  the 


82 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I 


• 


1  .  I' 

1^ 


I 


1, 


most  thrilling  niituro  and  was  told  and  retold 
many  a  time.  Sometimes  JelT  talked  of  going 
back  to  the  mines,  but  as  the  months  and  years 
passed,  he  kept  in  the  city,  spending  a  night 
now  and  then  with  the  boys,  where  he  felt  as 
much  at  home  as  in  his  own  quarters  at  the 
hotel. 

One  evening  late  in  ]V[arch,  1807,  Jeff  opened 
the  door  of  Mr.  Palmer's  modest  home,  near 
the  northern  suburb  of  San  Francisco,  and  with 
his  pipe  between  his  lips,  sat  down  in  the  chair 
to  which  he  was  always  welcome.  In  truth, 
the  chair  was  considered  his,  and  no  one  would 
have  thought  of  occupying  it  when  he  was  pres- 
ent. As  he  slowly  puffed  his  pipe  he  swayed 
gently  backward  and  forward,  his  slouch  hat 
on  the  floor  beside  him,  and  his  long,  straggling 
hair  dangling  about  his  shoulders,  while  his 
heavy  beard  came  almost  to  his  eyes. 

It  was  so  late  that  the  wife  had  long  since 
cleared  away  the  dishes  from  the  table,  and  sat 
at  one  side  of  the  room  sewing  by  the  lamp. 
The  husband  was  reading  a  paper,  but  laid  it 
aside  when  Jeff  entered,  always  glad  to  talk 
with  their  quaint  visitor,  to  whom  he  and  his 
family  were  bound  by  warm  ties  of  gratitude. 


THE  PASSING   YEARS. 


33 


Jeff  smoked  a  minute  or  two  in  silence,  after 
greeting  his  friends,  and  the  humping  of  his 
massive  shouklers  showed  that  he  was  hiughing, 
thougii  lie  gave  I'ortii  no  sound. 

"  What  pleases  yon,  ,1  elf  > "  asked  Mr.  Palmer, 
smiling  in  sympathy,  while  the  wife  looked 
at  their  caller  in  mild  sni-pi-ise. 

"  I've  heerd  it  said  that  a  burned  chihl  dreads 
the  fire,  Init  T  don't  b'lieve  it.  After  he's  burnt 
he  goes  back  agin  and  gits  burnt  over.  Why 
is  it,  after  them  exploreivs  that  are  trying  to 
find  the  North  Pole  no  sooner  git  home  and 
thawed  out  than  they're  crazy  to  go  back  agin  ? 
Look  at  Peary.  You'd  think  he  had  enouo-h 
but  he's  at  it  once  more,  and  will  keep  at  it 
after  he  finds  the  pole— that  is,  if  he  ever  does 
finds  it.  Nansen,  too,  he'll  be  like  a  fish  out  of 
water  till  he's  climbing  the  icel>ei'gs  agin." 

And  once  more  the  huge  shoulders  bobbed 
up  and  down.  His  friends  knew  this  was 
meant  to  serve  as  an  introduction  to  something 
else  that  was  on  Jeff"s  mind,  and  they  smir. 
ingly  Avaited  for  it  to  come. 

"  It's  over  forty  years  since  I  roughed  it  in 
the  diggings,  starving,  fighting  Tnjins,  and  get- 
ting tough,"  continued  the  old  miner  musingly. 


34 


THE  YOUSii  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


Mi 


"  After  I  struck  it  piu't  v  lair  I  (juit ;  l)Ut  I  nev(>r 
told  you  how  luaiiv  times  tiic  loHLiini*'  luis  como 
over  mo  so  stroni»'  lluit  it  was  all  I  could  do  tn 
stick  at  liomc  and  iKjt  make  a  fool  of  inysell'.'' 

"  I>ut  that  was  iu  voui*  vouii<''er  tlays ''  re- 
plied  his  friend;  "you  have  iuul  nothing  of 
the  kiml  for  a  good  while." 

ffelF  took  his  i)i|)e  from  the  network  of  heard 
that  enclosed  liis  lips,  and  turned  his  bright, 
gray  eyes  upon  the  husl)and  and  wife  who 
were  looking'  curiously  at  him.  They  knew 
bv  the  movement  of  the  beard  at  the  corners 
of  the  invisible  mouth  tliat  he  was  smiling. 

"  There's  tlie  joke.  It's  come  over  me  so 
strong  inside  the  last  week,  that  I've  made  up 
my  mind  to  start  out  on  a  hunt  for  gold. 
What  do  you  think  of  tha.,  -h  ?  " 

And  restoring  his  pipe  to  his  lips,  l.j  leaned 
back  and  rocked  his  chair  with  more  vigor  than 
befoi'e,  while  he  looked  fixedly  into  th(3  faces  of 
his  friends. 

"Jeff,  you  can't  be  in  earnest;  you  i-re  past 
threescore " 

"  Sixty-four  last  mor.th,''  he  interrupted ; 
''  let's  git  it  right." 

'*  And  vou  are  in  no  need  of  monev  ;  besides 


THE  PASSING  YEAhOk 


35 


Air 

I"(3- 

:  of 


it  is  ;i  hard  iimtter  to  lind  uuy  place  in  Cali> 

furniji  u'hen^  it  is  worth  your  whih^ " 

"  Hilt  it  ;un't  Caiifornv,"  ho  bmUe  in  a<v;ii,i  • 
'*  It's  the  Kh)n(liIvO  countiy.     No  use  ol'  taik- 
ini^-,"  ]ie  added    with   warmth,  "  there's  richer 
deposits  in  Alaska  and  tliat   part  of  the  world 
than  was  ever  found  hereabouts.     I've  got  a 
friend,  Tim    McC^iho,   at    Juneau;    he's\een 
through  the  Klondike  country,  and  wi-ites  me 
there's  no  mistake  abcnitit;  he  wants  me  to 
join  him.     Vn  rroing  to  do  it,   and  your  boy 
Roswell  and  iiis  cousin   Frank  are  to  go  with 
me.     Oh,    it's    all  settled,"    said    Jeff ''airily ; 
"the  only  question  is  liow  soon  you  can  git 
him  ready.     A  day  oughter  be  enough." 

The  usband  and  wife  looked  at  each  other 
in  astonishment.  They  had  not  dreamed  of 
anything  like  this;  but  if  the  truth  were  told, 
Mr.  Palmer  had  been  so  wrougjit  up  by  the 
wonderful  stories  that  were  continually  coming 
from  Alaska  and  British  Columbia,  that  he 
was  seriously  thinking  of  joining  the  north- 
ward bound  procession. 

Startling  as  was  the  announcement  of  Jeff 
Graham,  a  discussion  of  the  scheme  brought 
out  more  than  one  fact  U)  recommend  it.     The 


8(:) 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


!<^'. 


;;^ 


i      > 


i.     / 


i     I 


youths  were  in  perfect  healtii,  strong  and  ath- 
letic. Jeff  volunteered  to  pi'ov ide  all  the  funds 
needeJ,  and  his  early  ex))erience  in  mining  and 
his  love  for  the  bovs  made  him  an  invaluable 

ft. 

guide  and  companion,  despite  his  years.  He 
had  turned  over  in  his  mind  every  phase  of  the 
question,  and  met  each  ol)jection  the  affection- 
ate mother  briMight  forward,  alarmed  as  she 
was  at  the  thought  of  having  her  boy  go  so 
mjinv  miles  from  under  her  care. 

"It  will  be  necessarv  to  talk  with  Roswell 

« 

about  it,''  said  the  father,  after  the  conversa- 
tion had  lasted  a  considerable  while. 

"1*^0,  it  won't;  I've  trJked  with  him,  and 
he's  as  crazy  as  me  to  go." 

"  But  what  will  Fraid<.'s  mother  say  ? " 

"  She's  said  what  she's  got  to  say  ;  had  a 
talk  with  her  last  night,  and  it's  all  fixed.  I've 
sent  word  to  Tim  that  I'll  be  at  Juneau  bv 
next  steamer,  and  have  two  of  the  likeliest 
younkers  with  me  on  the  coast ;  then  we'll 
head  for  the  U  pper  Yukon,  and  bime-by  hire  a 
ship  to  bring  back  all  the  gold  we'll  scoop  in." 

"  It  seems  to  me  that  we  have  nothing  to  do 
in  the  premises,  Jelf.*' 

"  Nothing  'copt  to  git  the  youngster  ready." 


CHAPTER   111. 


AT   JUAKAL- 


Now  it  is  a  serious  uiuleitakiiig  for  any  one 
to  make  a  joiu-ney  to  the  gold  rt^gions  at  the 
headwaters  of  the  Yukon,  as  every  one  will 
admit  wlio  Jias  been  tli(\re.  AH  know  of  the 
starvation  wliicli  threatened  tlie  jx-oplcof  Daw- 
son (%y  (hiring  the  Avint<'i'  of  Isi>:-i)s,  when 
the  whole  country  wjis  stirred  with;s\'m])athv 
and  our  (iovei-nment  mnde  use  of  reindeer  to 
talve  food  to  the  suffering  miners. 

No  dangers  of  that  Ivind  confronted  Roswell 
Pahner  and  Fraidc  .Maiisley,  hut  their  i)arents 
couhl  not  contemplate  the  undertaking  without 
anxiety.  Tiie  mother's  held  more  than  one  con- 
sultation, and  there  was  a  time  \vhen  both  were 
inclined  to  ol)ject  to  the  hoys  going  at  all. 
The  dread  of  that  desolate,  icy  region  in  the 
far  Northwest  grew  u])on  them,  until  it  is  safe  to 
say  that  if  the  departures  Iiad  Imm  postponed  for 

37 


88 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i    f 


ill 


1 1 


;M 


onlv  a  tew  (lavs  Mrs.  ">[anslev  and  Mrs.  I^iliuer 
Avoulcl  never  have  given  tiieii'  consent.  But 
Mr.  J  Kilmer  lauglied  at  tlieii'  Icars,  and  assured 
them  tliere  was  no  cause  for  alai*ni.  He  spoke 
so  clieeringly  tliat  tliev  caught  his  hopefuhiess, 
but  neither  noticed  the  luni])  lie  swallowed,  nor 
Avith  what  diMlculty  he  kept  l)ack  the  tears 
when  the  hour  for  ])ai'ting  cauie.  lie  Avas  fully 
as  anxious  as  tlun',  hut  lie  knew  ho\\'  to  dissem- 
ble,  and  would  not  have  confessed  his  real  emo- 
tions foi'  the  world. 

After  all,  it  was  Jetf  (rraham  who  deserved 
the  ci'edit  for  the  willingness  of  the  parents  to 
see  their  sons  venture  upon  the  long  and  dan- 
gerous jouVucy.  To  hiui  the  trij)  was  nuich  the 
same  as  a  visit  to  Los  Angeles  oi'  the  Yoseiiiite 
VaUcv.  Mis  sell'-conlidence  never  faltered. 
He  was  sure  it  Avould  be  onlv  a  pleasant  outini'-. 
with  the  cci'taintv  of  a  bii»'  rewar<l  at  tlie  vud 
of  it.  The  sly  fellow  dwelt  on  tla^  pale  coui- 
plexion  and  debilitatetl  a[)|)earance  of  the  lads. 
He  even  said  tliat  a  cough  whi(,'h  he  heard 
Frank  try  to  suppress  (in  sNvallowiug  some  fruit, 
a  bit  of  it  went  the  ''  wron<>:  wav' '—  it  was  noth- 
ing  more)  indicated  the  insidious  approach  of 
consumption.     JelY  was  the  only  one  who  was 


V^^ 


AT  JUXIJAU 


39 


able  to  see  any  paleness  in  tlu^  countenance  of 
the  young'  athletes,  or  suspect  tlieni  of  l)eing 
otlierwise  than  line  s])eciniens  of  youtliful  health 
and  vio-oi-;  but  since  he  was  as  solemn  as  a 
judo'o  Avhen  making  his  declaration,  the  father 
and  mother  of  the  one  and  the  mother  of  the 
other  could  not  feel  quite  certain  there  were 
not  grounds  for  his  fears. 

And  so  it  being  settled  that  the  boys  were  to 
go  to  the  Klondike  gold  fields  under  the  care 
of  the  grim  (jld  Argonaut,  it  only  remained  to 
complete  the  preparations  in  the  short  time  at 
their  disposal 

Had  tlie  mothers  been  free  to  carry  out  their 
wishes,  their  sons  would  have  been  loaded  down 
with  l)aggage  upon  leaving  San  Francisco. 
There  are  so  nuiny  things  which  seeui  indis- 
|)ensable,  wlien  an  alfectionate  mother  is  consid- 
'Tiug  the  comfort  of  her  only  son,  tliat  she  is 
M'leto  overwhelm  Inm.  At  first  the  mothei's 
iiuir-ted  uj)ou  ejicli  ])eing  furnished  witli  a  laro^^ 
tMuik,  wliieh  would  have  to  be  crowded  to 
bursting  to  contain  what  wtis  needed,  but  Jelf 
])ut  his  foot  down. 

"Xothin'  of  the  kind.  J)kln't  I  tell  vou 
ilial   we'll  git  all  that's  needed  at  Juneau  or 


40 


THE  YOUyCr   GOLD  SKKKEHS. 


Dyea  or  some  point  on  the  road  ?  You've  for- 
got that." 

"  But,  efetf,  there  are  some  articles  which 
thev  fjnusf,  take  with  tlieiu." 

The  old  miner  lit  his  ]iipe,  sat  down  in  the 
rocking-chair  at  the  Palmer  home,  where  the 
mothers  had  met  while  the  bovs  and  Mr.  Palm- 
er  were  do^vn-town  making  a  few  forgotten 
purchases.  Tlie  old  felk  v-  chuckled  a  little  and 
then  became  serious. 

''  In  the  fust  place,  not  a  trunk  !''  and  he 
shook  his  head  decisively. 

'*  Do  3^ou  expect  them  to  take  what  they 
want  in  their  pockets  T ' 

'^  ITmpli  !  it  would  be  the  sensiblest  thing 
they  could  do,  but  we  can't  l)e  bothered  with 
any  trunks,  that  \vould  be  sure  to  be  lost  in  the 
first  shuffle.  Each  of  us  will  have  a  good,  big, 
strong  carpet-bag,  and  nothing  more.  You  can 
cram  them  as  full  as  you  choose,  but  what  you 
can't  git  in  has  got  to  be  left  at  home. '' 

There  could  be  no  mistake  as  to  Jeff's  earnest- 
ness, and  neither  mother  attempted  to  gainsay 
his  words. 

' '  Now, ' '  said  he,  ' '  jest  lay  out  on  the  floor 
what  you  have  in  your  mind  that  the  young- 


AT  JUNEAU. 


41 


sters    need,    and    Til    tell    von    what  thev  do 
need,  * 

''  Yon  nuistn't  forget,"  observed  Mrs.  Palm- 
er, as  she  started  to  comply,  ''that  the  boys 
are  now  down-town  Ijnying  some  things  whicli 
they  positively  cannot  get  along  without." 

"  As,  for  instance,  what  ?" 

"  AYell,  tooth-l)rushes,  soap,  combs,  court- 
phister,  handkerchiefs,  buttons,  thread,  quinine, 
and  pain-killer." 

''  Is  that  all  ?"'  asked  Jeff  so  quizzically  that 
both  ladies  hiughed. 

''  Vou  have  forgotten,"  added  Mrs.  Mansley, 
''the  shirts,  underclothing,  socks,  and  shoes.'' 

"  They  are  here,"  replied  ]\[rs.  Pahner,  step- 
ping briskly  into  the  next  room  and  returnino- 
with  her  arms  full. 

"I've  got  to  lay  down  the  kw,"  observed 
Jeff,  just  as  Mr.  l^ilmer  and  the  two  boys  came 
in,  glowing  wi:h  excitement.  ''  Here  are  the 
young  men,  and  tliey  look  as  if  thev  had  bought 
out  half  the  town.  Dump  everything  on  the 
floor,  and  let's  sort  'em  out." 

When  the  pile  was  complete  the  miner  gravely 
rejnarked: 

"  Nothing  less  than  a  freight-car  will  answer 


f. 


42 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i   V' 


-i  ■  t 


for  all  that  stuff,  and  T  don't  l)*]iovo  we  can 
cliartcT  one  tlii'oiii''li  to  Dawson.  In  the  first 
place,  I  s'j)()se  the  tooth-l)rushes  will  have  to  go, 
tliOLio'li  I  never  i'oiind  any  use  for  such  things, 
and  I  can  craclv  a  bull  hickory -nut  with  my 
teeth.  The  same  may  be  obsarvcd  of  the  soup 
and  cond)s,  wliile  a  roll  of  court  ])laster  don't 
take  up  much  room.  A^e'll  be  likely  to  need 
thread,  buttons,  and  some  patches  for  our 
clothes,  tliough  I've  got  a  supply  in  my  carpet- 
bag. The  quinine  and  pain  killer  they  may 
take  if  you  can  find  a  corner  to  squeeze  'em 
in.  As  to  the  imderclothing,  extra  shirts,  it 
depends  whether  there  is  room  for  'em;  but  the 
boys  mustn't  think  of  taking  their  dress  suits 
along,  'cause  rm  not  going  to.  There  ain't 
any  room  for  violins,  pianoo,  or  nmsic-boxes, 
and  the  only  clothing  and  shoes  that  can  go 
with  this  ])arty  is  what  we  wear  on  our  bodies 
and  feet." 

"  Suppose  the  shoes  wear  out  ?"  asked  Mrs. 
Manslev  in  dismav. 

"  Then  we'll  go  barefoot.  Xow,  see  here, 
we  shan't  be  aw^av  more  than  three  months. 
A  pair  of  well-made  slioes  will  last  longer  than 
that,  and  the  same  is  true  about  our  clothes, 


^ 


AT  JUNEAU. 


43 


tliougli  we  luivc  tlie  means  of  luendini;,'  thei]i,  if 
inodestv  calls  foi'  it,  which  {lin't  likelv  to  he 
the  case  in  tiie  di^'g'ings.  Caps,  coats,  vests, 
ti'ousers,  and  slioes  are  to  sarve  fromti]e(hiv 

t. 

we  start  till  we  come  hack.  If  om^  of  the  hovs 
casts  a  shoe  and  h)ses  it,  we'll  Ihid  some  way 
of  getting-  him  another.  AVhat's  this  C  sud- 
denly asked  Jelf,  picking  up  a  small  v\)lame 
from  the  floor  and  opening  it. 

He  looked  at  the  flv-leaf,  on  which  was 
written  :  '*  To  my  dear  hoy  Iloswell,  from 
his  affectionate  mother.  Head  a  portion  every 
day,  and  be  guided  in  your  thoughts,  words, 
and  deeds  by  its  blessed  ])recepts.  Then  it 
shall  alwavs  be  well  with  thee.'' 

There  Avere  two  of  the  small  Dibles,  the  other 
being  similarly  inscribed  with  the  name  of 
Frank  ]\[ansl(?y.  The  boys  and  their  parents 
were  standing  around  the  seated  miner,  ami  no 
one  spoke,  lie  looked  at  each  })recious  volume 
in  turn,  and  tlum  reverently  laid  them  among 
the  pile  of  indispensables. 

"  That's  the  mother  of  it."  he  said,  as  if 
speaking  with  himself  ;  "  it's  a  good  many 
years  since  my  poor  old  mother  done  the  same 
thing  for  me  when  I  started  for  Californy,  and 


44 


THE  YOUNG   GOLD  SKEKKRS. 


■    I 


4 


i 


Tf 


i 


i  % 


I've  got  the  book  among  my  things  yet, 
though  I  (lon't  vvi\d  it  as  often  as  I  should. 
7'/i<'/n  go  if  we  have  to  h.Mive  everything  else 
behind." 

AV^hen  the  task  was  com])leted,  every  one 
acknowledged  the  excellent  judgment  dis})layed 
by  Jeff  Graham.  The  thi'ee  were  arrayed  in 
strong,  thick,  wai'in  clothing,  and,  in  addition, 
each  carried  a  lieavv  overcoat  on  his  arm.  In 
the  valises  were  crowded  underclothing,  shirts, 
handkerchiefs,  and  the  articles  that  have  been 
already  specified.  It  was  wonderful  how  skil- 
fully tlie  mothers  did  »ae  packing.  When  it 
looked  as  if  every  inch  of  space  \va8  filled,  they 
found  a  crevice  into  which  another  bottle  of 
standard  medicine,  an  extra  bit  of  soap,  more 
thread  and  needles  and  conveniences  of  wdiich 
no  otJier  person  would  think  were  forced 
without  adding  to  the  difficulty  of  locking  the 
valises. 

Nothing  remaining  to  be  done,  on  the  foUow- 
ing  dav  tlie  bovs  kissed  their  tearful  mothers 
good-bv,  and  warndv  shook  hands  with  Mr. 
Palmer,  who  brokenly  murmured,  ''  God  bless 
you  !  be  good  bovs  !"  as  he  saw^  them  off  on  the 
steamer  bound  for  Seattle,  and  thence  to  Juneau, 


i'l 


{«.' 


AT  JUNEAU. 


45 


where  they  safely  arrived   one  day   early  in 
April,  1897. 

In  luakiiig  sucli  a  voyage,  many  people  are 
necessarily  thrown  together  in  more  or  less 
close  companionship,  with  the  result  of  forming 
numerous  acquaintances  and  sometimes  lasting 
friendships.  Following  the  advice  of  Jeff,  the 
cousins  had  little  to  say  al)out  their  plans, 
though  they  became  interested  in  more  tlian 
one  passenger,  and  often  speculated  between 
themselves  as  to  the  likelihood  of  certain  ones 
meeting  success  or  failure  in  the  gold  regions. 

There  were  three  sturdy  lumbermen  all  the 
way  from  Maine.  A  curious  fact  about  them 
was  that,  although  they  were  not  related  at  all, 
the  name  of  each  was  Bro\vn.  They  Avere 
light-hearted  and  the  life  of  the  large  party. 
One  Brown  had  a  good  tenor  voice,  and  often 
sang  popular  ballads  with  taste  and  great  ac- 
ceptability. Another  played  the  violin  with 
considerable  skill,  and  sometimes  indulo-ed  in 
jig  tunes,  to  which  his  friends,  and  occasionally 
others,  danced  an  accompaniment. 

'*  They'll  succeed,"  was  the  verdict  of  Ros- 
well,  "  for  they  are  strong,  healthy,  and  will 
toil  like  beavers. ' ' 


46 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


'\    \- 


A    V. 


■!| 


"And  what  of  tlK»  two  men  smoking  their 
pip'S  just  h(Wo)i(l  the  tiddler  T'  Mskcd  Fi'ank. 

"  I  had  a  talk  witli  tliem  the  otlicrdax'  ;  one 
has  been  a  niinoi'  in  Australia,  and  the  other 
S2)ent  two  years  in  the  diamond  mines  of  Kim- 
berlev,  Soutli  Africa.  ^[eetini''  for  the  lii'st 
time  in  San  Francisco,  they  formed  a  partn(M'- 
sliip  :  tliey,  too,  ar*^  ru<j;ged  and  must  under- 
stand tlieir  business." 

"  No  doulit  of  it.  Do  von  remember  that 
stoo])-shouldered  old  man  wliose  room  is  next 
to  ours  ?" 

''  The  one  who  lias  such  dreadful  coughmg 
spells  in  the  night  V 

"  Yes  ;  he  is  far  gone  with  consuni])tion,  and 
yet  he  won't  believe  there's  anvthiui''  the  ]nat- 
ter  with  him.  lie  is  worse  than  when  he  came 
on  board:  but  he  savs  it  is  onlv  a  slii'-ht  cold 
which  will  soon  pass  olT,  and  he  is  just  as  hope- 
ful as  3^ou  or  I  of  taking  a  lot  of  nuggets  home 
with  him. " 

' '  He  never  ^vill  see  the  other  side  of  Chilkoot 
Pass." 

' '  I  doubt  Avhether  he  will  ever  see  this  side. ' ' 

Thus  the  boys  speculated,  sometimes  amused 
and  sometimes  saddened  h\  ^vhat  tliev  sa^w. 


AT  JUNEAU. 


•J7 


There  was  a  bi^-  Saii  Fr.-niciseo  polkvman,  who 
said   lie   ]ia<l   cracked   heads  so   h)iio-   that   In* 
thouo-lit  lie   knew   how  to  ci-ack  some  "^ohlen 
nuggets  ;  a  con'cspondent  of  a  proiiiineiit  J\ew 
York  newspaper,  Avhosi,'  situati(jn  was  enviable, 
since  his  salaiy  and  expenses  were  guaranteed, 
and  he  was  IVee  to  gather  goldwlien  the  oppoj-- 
tunity  oh'ei'ed  ;  a  voluble  insurance  agent,  avIio 
made  a  nuisance  of  hhnself  by  his  solicitations, 
in  season  and  out  ;  a  massive  Ibotball-playej-, 
who  had  no  companion,  and  did  not  wish  anv 
since  he  was  sure  he  could  Inick  the  line,  make 
a  touchdown,  and  kick  a  goal  ;  a  gray-haired 
head  of  a  family,  ^rho,  having  lost  his  all,  liad 
set  out  to  gather  another  fortune   .along  the 
Klondike,     lie  walked  briskly,  threw  back  his 
shoulders,  and  tried  liard  to  appear  young  and 
vigorous,  but  the  chances  were  stronolv  atminst 
liim.     There  were  a  number  of  lu'ight  clerks;  a 
clergyman,  pleasant  and  genial  Avith  all  ;  gam- 
blers, with  pallid  faces  and  hair  and  mustaches 
dyed  an  intense  black,  who  expected  to  win  the 
gold  for  which  others  dug  ;  young  and  middle - 
aged  men,  some  with  their  brave  wives,  serene 
and  calmly  prepainnl  to  Ijear  tlieir  full  share  of 
privation  and  toil  ;  and  adventurers,  reach'  to 


48 


THE  YOUNG  (iOLD  SKKKERS, 


■1. 

\ 


.q:o  anywhere  for  tlie  sake  of  adventure  itself. 
In  triitli,  it  AVMS  a  motley  assenil)lage,  Avhich  to 
the  i>oys  was  like  a  eontiniially  sl)iftin<»'  pano- 
rama of  lio[)e,  ambition,  honesty,  dishonor, 
pluck,  and  human  entei'[)rise  and  darin<]i^,  that 
was  ever  present  throu*  hout  the  thousand  miles 
of  salt  water  that  stvetelics  from  Seattle  to 
Juneau. 

Juneau,  the  metropolis  ol'  Alaska,  was 
founded  in  ISSO,  and  naim'd  in  ]»onor  of  Joseph 
Juneau,  the  discoV('r<"'  of  gold  on  Douglas 
Island,  two  mih^s  distant.  There  is  located  the 
Tread  well  (piartz-mill,  the  hirgest  in  the  world. 
The  city  nestles  at  the  base  of  a  ])recipitous 
mountain,  thirty-tlirev  hundred  feet  high,  has 
several  thousand  inhabitants,  with  its  wooden 
houses  regularly  laid  out,  good  wharves,  water 
works,  electric  lights,  l>anks,  hotels,  news- 
papers, schools,  and  churches. 

"  Here's  ^^here  \ve  get  our  outfit,''  said  Jeff, 
as  they  hui'ried  over  the  phmk  to  the  landing. 
"  But  where  can  Tim  be  ?" 

He  paused  abruptly  as  soon  as  he  Avas  clear 
of  the  crowd,  and  looked  around  for  the  one 
who  was  the  cause  of  his  comiuii'  f<>  this  out-of- 
the-way   corner   of   th(3   world.     \U^  ^ras  still 


'»-^i&siHL.. 


( 


.17'  Jiwhwr 


49 


gazing  wlion  a  jnan,  dri'ssed  nnicli  the  samc^  as 
himself,  hut  slioi-t,  stockily  l)uilt,  and  with  the 
reddest  hair  and  whiskers  tlie  hoys  li;id  vvrv 
seen,  his  round  face  ai-iow-  witli  [)h'Msure 
stepped  hastily  t'oi'ward  from  tlie  group  of  spec- 
tators and  extench'd  his  hand. 

''  Ah.  JifT,  it  does  iiu;  good  to  see  N'our  hand- 
some silf  ;  and  liow  liave  ye  heen,  and  how  do 
ye  expect  to  continue  to  l)e  f 

Tim  ^[cCabe  was  an  Irishman  who,  when 
overtaken  \>y  misfortune  in  San  P'rancisco, 
found  Jeff  (iraiianithe  good  Samaritan,  and  he 
could  nevei'  show  sidficient  gratitude  therefor. 
It  was  onlv  one  of  the  manv  kindlv  deeds  the 
old  minei'  was  always  perfoi'ining,  hut  he  did 
not  meet  in  every  case  with  such  honest  thank- 
fulness. 

Jeff  clasped  his  hand  warmly,  and  then 
looked  at  the  smiling  boys,  to  whom  he  intro- 
duced his  friend,  and  who  shook  their  hands. 
He  eyed  them  closely,  and,  Avith  the  quizzical 
expression  natural  to  many  of  his  people,  said  : 

' '  And   these   are  the  laddies  va  Avrote  me 

I' 

about  ?  Ye  said  the\'  were  likeh^  broths  of 
boys;  but,  Jitf,  ye  didn't  do  them  justice — they 
desai'ved  more." 


50 


rilF.    YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


t 


\  \  ■ 


"  Tim  is  always  full  of  blarney,"  explained 
Jeff,  who,  it  was  evident,  wtjsfond  of  tlie  merry 
Irishman  ;  "  so  you  mustn't  mind  him  and  his 
wavs. " 

Tloswell  {umI  h'l'ank  were  attracted  by  Jeff's 
tVieiid.  He  was  one  of  those  persons  who,  de- 
sju'te  their  homeliness  of  face  and  feature,  win 
us  ])y  th(\ir  genial  nature  and  honest,  outspoken 
wavs.  No  one  ever  sa^v  a  liner  set  of  h\<x, 
wliite  teetli.  nor  a  ])roader  smile,  w'lich  scarcely 
ever  was  absent  Irom  the  Irishman's  counte- 
nnn.'c.  lie  shook  liands  with  each  lad  in  tui'u, 
giving"  a  warm  ])ressure  and  (expressing  his 
pleasure  at  meeting  them.  ''  I'm  glad  to  greet 
ye,  me  friends,"  he  said,  as  the  wliole  j)arty 
moved  out  of  tlie  way  of  the  hurrying,  bustling 
swarm  who  were  rushing  back  and  forth,  each 
intent  on  his  own  business  ;  *"  not  onlv  on 
your  own  account,  but  on  account  of  me  friend 
Jitr.'' 

"  1  do  not  quite  understand  you,"  said  Eos- 
well  with  a  smile. 

''  Well,  you  see,  I've  met  Jiff  before,  and 
formed  a  rathc^i'  fair  o])inion  of  liim  ;  but  whin 
a  gintleman  like  nuvsilf  is  (Migag(Ml  on  some  im- 
portant business,    them    as   ai'c  to   be  favored 


-l^Sjp*. 


AT  JUNE  A  V. 


ol 


with  me  conlidence  must  have  their  creden- 
tials. ' ' 

"  And  you  accept  our  ])resence  with  liim  as 
})roof  that  he  is  what  he  should  be  '('' 

Tim  gravely  inclined  his  head. 

''  Do  ye  think  I  would  admit  Jiff  as  a  part- 
ner if  it  was  otlierwise  ^     Not  I." 

''But,"  interposed  Frank,  "how  is  it  with 
us  f     You  never  saw  us  before.'' 

"  One  look  at  them  fac(^s  is  enough/'  was 
the  promj)t  reply  ;  *'  ye  carry  a  certilicate  wid 
ye  that  no  one  can  dis]xx)t." 

"  And  I  should  like  to  know,"  sakl  Jeti', 
with  assumed  indignation,  "  what  credential 
you  have  to  present  to  us,  young  man." 

''  Mine  is  the  same  as  the  young  gintlemen, " 
answered  Tim,  removing  his  thick  fur  cap  and 
displaying  his  whole  wealth  of  fiery  red  hair  ; 
•'  obsarve  me  countenance." 

[lis  face  became  grave  for  the  first  time, 
while  all  the  rest  laughed. 

"  Pm  satisfied  and  hungry,"  said  Jeff; 
"  take  us  whei'e  we  can  get  something  to  eat." 

"  [  knew  bv  that  token  tliat  I  had  forgot 
something,  and  it's  me  brenkfast  and  dinner. 
In   honor   of   yer   conung,    I've    engaged    the 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I  •• 


best  quai'ters  at  the  leading"  hotel.     Coine  wid 

It  \vas  luit  a,  siiort  distance  up  the  street  to  a 
frame  iiotel,  wliicli  was  kept  by  a  corpulent 
Geriiiaii  who  had  been  in  the  country  for  a 
couple  of  yeai's.  The  men  registered,  during 
which  Tim  remarked  to  the  landlord,  N\'ho 
seemed  never  to  be  without  his  long-stemmed 
meerschaum  ])ip(.^  l»et^veen  his  li})s  : 

''  This  "'intleman  isn't  the  burghir  that  vc 
would  thiidv  from  his  looks.  He  heJongf;  to  a 
good  family,  or  ye  wouldn't  obsarve  him  in  my 
com])anv.  The  ^'0un<i'  ointlemei}  are  two 
princes  that  are  travelUng  in  eog.  In  consider- 
ation of  all  of  them  having  delicate  a[)])etit(is 
like  mesiif,  not  forgetting  the  honor  of  tlieir 
company,  ye  will  be  glad  to  nuike  a  reduction 
in  your  exorl)itant   rates,    Baron    Fritz,    I   am 


sure, 


1? 


The  phlegmatic  German  smiled,  and  in  a 
guttural  voice  announced  that  his  terms  were 
three  dollars  a  day,  including  I'ooms  and  meals, 
which,  when  all  tlie  circumstances  are  consid- 
ered, was  not  extravagant.  The  party  Cfirr'ed 
their  luggage  to  their  rocjms,  where  they  pre- 
pared themselves  for  the  meal,  which  was  satis- 


AT  JUNEAU. 


68 


factory  in  every  respect  and  better  than  tliev 
expected. 

It  came  ont  durin;!^'  the  conversation  that 
Thn  McCabe  had  not  a  dolhir  to  Ids  name,  and 
he  spoke  the  trutii  wdien  he  said  that  lie  had 
not  eaten  a  monthful  that  (hiy.  It  woul<l  have 
-one  liard  for  him  \m{  for  the  arrival  of  Jeff 
(Jraliani,  tliough  there  is  sucli  a  livelv  demand 
for  labor  in  Jnneau  that  he  must  have  soon 
found  means  to  provide  liimself  with  foo(h 

As  for  Jef!',  he  was  glad  m  his  heart  that  his 
ohl  friend  was  in  such  sore  straits,  inasmuch  as 
it  g'ijve  hini  tiie  pleasiu'e  of  pro\'iding  for  him. 
Tim  liad  taken  cut  some  live  humh'ed  dollars, 
but  a  companion  whom  he  fully  trusted  rol)l)ed 
him  of  it,  and  the  sma.llamomit  left  l)areh^  kept 
the  Irishman  afloat  until  the  arrival  of  the  old 
miner. 

Jeff  (iraham  sliowed  prudence  in  brin'dno-  a 
plentiful  su])ply  of  funds  with  him,  and  since 
he  expected  to  take  back  a  hundredfold  more 
than  he  In'oiiolil,  lie  could  well  afford  to  do  so. 
Stowed  awa-y  in  his  safe  inside  i)ocket  was  fulh- 
two  thousand  dollars,  and  inasmuch  as  gold  is 
the  '•  coin  of  th(>  realnf'  in  (California,  as  Avell 
as  in  Alaska,  the  funds  were  in  shining  eagles 


54 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


,1 


I 


and  half  eagles—rather  bulk}-  of  themselves, 
but  not  uncomfortably  so. 

The  experience  of  McCabe  and  Jeff  prevented 
any  mistake  in  providing*  their  outfit.  They 
had  good,  warm  flannels,  thick  woollen  gar- 
ments, strong  shoes,  and  rubber  boots.  Those 
who  press  their  mining  operations  during  the 
long  and  severe  winter  generally  use  the  water 
boot  of  seal  and  walrus,  which  costs  from  two 
dollars  to  five  dollars  a  pair,  with  trousers 
made  from  Siberian  fawn-skins  and  the  skin  of 
the  marmot  and  ground  squirrel .  with  the  outer 
garment  of  marmot- skin.  Blankets  and  robes, 
of  course,  are  indispensable.  Tlie  best  ar(?  of 
wolf-skin,  and  Jeff  paid  one  hundred  dollars 
apiece  for  those  furnished  to  himself  and  each 
of  his  companions. 

The  matter  of  })rovisions  was  of  tlie  first  im- 
portance. A  man  needs  a  goodly  supply  of 
nourishing  food  to  sustain  hiui  through  tiie  try- 
ing journey  from  Juneau  to  Dawson  City,  the 
following  being  considered  necessary  for  an 
able-bodied  p»erson  :  Twenty  pounds  of  floui', 
twelve  of  bacon,  twelve  of  beans,  four  of  butter, 
live  of  vegetables,  live  of  sugar,  three  of  coffee, 
five  of  corn-meal,  one  pound  of  tea,  four  cans 


AT  JUNEAU. 


55 


of  condensed  milk,  one  and  one  half  pounds  of 
salt,  with  a  Httle  pep})er  and  mustard. 

Because  of  the  'mght  and  bulk,  Jelf  omitted 
from  this  list  the  tea,  the  condensed  milk  and 
butter,  and  while  the  su}>ply  in  other  respects 
was  the  same,  respectively,  for  himself  and 
McCabe,  that  of  the  boys  was  cut  down  about 
one  thii'd;  for  besides  tin?  food,  the  party  were 
compelled  to  take  ^\'ith  tliem  a  frying-pan,  a 
water-kettle,  a  Yukon  stove,  a  bean-i)ot,  a 
(h*inking'-cu]),  knives  and  forks,  and  a  large  and 
small  frying-pan. 

Since  they  would  fmd  a  good  raft  necessary, 
axes,  hatchets,  hunting-knives,  nails,  one  lum- 
dred  and  fifty  feet  of  rope,  and  two  Juneau 
sleds  were  purchased.  To  these  Avere  added 
snow-shoes,  a  strong  duck-tent,  lishing-tackle, 
snow-glasses  to  protect  themselves  agahist  snow- 
blindness,  rubber  blankets,  mosquito-netting, 
tobacco,  and  a  few  minor  ai'ticles. 

The  start  from  Juneau  to  tlie  gold  tields  should 
not  l)e  made  before  the  l)eginning  of  April. 
Our  friends  had  struck  that  date,  but  tlie  head- 
long rusli  did  not  begin  until  some  time  later. 
One  of  tlie  })rinci])al  routes  is  fi'om  Seattle  to 
St.  ^richael,  on  the  west(nm  coast  of   Alaska, 


56 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


,\\ 


V 


iA 


and  then  up  that  iiiiyhty  rivci'  whose  mouth 
is  neiii',  i'or  neurlv  two  thousaml  juoi'e  miles  to 
DaAVson  ^  'ity.  The  river  is  open  during  the 
summer — sometimes  barelv  four  months — and 
our  friends  toolv  the  shorter  route  to  Juneau  on 
the  southern  coast,  from  wliicli  it  is  about  a 
thousand  miles  to  Dawson.  While  this  route  is 
much  shorter,  it  is  a  hundred  times  more  diffi- 
cult and  dangerous  than  by  the  Yukon. 

From  Juneau  there  are  four  dilferent  routes 
to  the  headwaters  of  the  Yukon,  all  crossing 
by  se])arate  paths  the  range  of  mountains  iilong 
the  coast.  Thev  ai*e  tlie  Dvea  or  Chilkoot 
Pass,  the  Chilkat,  Moore's  or  AVliite  Pass,  and 
Takou.  At  this  writing  the  Chilkoot  is  the 
favorite,  because  it  is  better  known  than  the 
othm-s,  but  the  facilities  for  ])assing  through  this 
entrance  or  doorwavto  the  new  El  Dorado  are 

t. 

cej'tain  to  be  "Teatlv  incnnised  at  an  earlv  da  v. 
It  was  learned  on  incpiirv  tliat  another  day 
would  have  to  be  sjMMit  in  the  town  before  the 
little  steamer  wouhl  leave  for  J)yea.  While 
Tim  and  Jeff  stayed  at  the  hotel,  talking  over 
old  times  and  laying  j^laiis  for  the  future,  the 
boys  strolled  thi'ough  tli<^  streets,  which  were 
knee-dee])  with  nuid. 


«^ 


"THAT  MAN  HAS  BEEN  FOLLOWING  US" 


ii 


AT  JU^'KAlT. 


I . 


The  curio  sl,„,,.s  „„  hV-mt  aiul  Stnvanl  streets 
"•ere  interesting-,  a»,l   from  tlie  uj-i-er  en.l  ol' 
the  latter  street  tlu-y  siuv  a  ],atii  leadiiio-  to  tl,e 
Auiv  village,   ^^■),ose  people  elaim   to  own  tlie 
Hats  at  tl.e  moutli  of  Gold  Creek.     ()„  tl„.  I,i-I, 
ground  across  tlu.strean,  is  a  c,.,„.t,.r\-  contaiV 
iMg  a  number  of  cm'ious  totemic  carvings,  lum,. 
^^th  offerings  to  .lepartod  spirits.      It   «-ould 
cost  a  white  man  his  life   to  disturl.  anv  of 
them. 

It  was  early  in  the  afternoon  that  the  cou.sins 
were  strolling  aiiulessly  al.out  and  ha.l  turned 
to  retrace  their  .steps  to  the  hotel,  ^v-hon  l^Vank 
touche<l  the  arm  of  his  companion  an.l  sai.l,  i„ 
a  low  voice  : 

"  Roswell,  do  you  know  that  a  strange  man 
has  been  following  us  for  tl.e  ],ast  hour  ?" 

"  2v"o  ;  where  is  he  V 

"  On  the  other  side  of  the  street  and  a  little 
way  behind  us.  Don't  look  around  just  nou-. 
I  don't  fancy  his  appearance. " 

A  minute  later,  Ros^^•ell  managed  to  gain  a 
good  view. 

"  I  don't  like  his  looks  as  well  as  he  seems  to 
Ike  ours.     Shall  we  wait  for  hin.  and  ask  him 
nis  business  V- 


'U 


I 


68 


THE  YOU  NO  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


"  .No  need  of  that,  for  lie  is  wulking  so  fast, 
lie  will  soon  be  up  with  us.  Here  he  conies,  as 
il"  in  a  great  hurry." 

A  few  ininu::es  later  tlie  boys  were  overtaken 
by  the  suspicious  strauifor. 


iiil 


1 


CHAPTER  IT. 


UP   THE    LYNN    CANAL. 

KoswELL  and  Frank  were  standing  in  front 
of  one  of  the  curio  stores,  studying  the  interest- 
ing exhibits,  among  ^vhich  was  a  pan  of  Klon- 
dike gold,  but  they  kept  ^vatch  of  the  stranger, 
who  slouciied  up  to  them  and  halted  at  the  side 
of  Frank. 

''  I  say,  pards,"  lie  said  in  the  gruff,  wheed- 
ling tones  of  tlie  professional  tramp,  "can't 
you  do  sometliing  for  a  chap  that's  down  on 
his  luck?" 

As  the  lads  turned  to  face  liim  they  saw  an 
unclean,  tousled  man,  very  tall,  with  stooping 
shoulders,  protruding  black  eyes,  spiky  hair, 
and  a  generally  repellent  appearance. 

"What's  the  troubled'  asked  Frank,  look- 
ing into  the  face  that  had  not  been  shaven  for 
several  days. 

"  Had  the  worst  sort  of  luck  ;  got  hack  from 
Klondike  two  days  ago  with  thirty  thousand 

69 


'Hi 


60 


THE   YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


dollai*s,  and  I'obhed  of  every  cent.     I'm  dead 
broke." 

"  You  seem  to  luive  had  enough  to  l)uy 
whiskey,"  remarked  Koswell,  who  had  liad  a 
whiff  of  his  hreacii,  and  phiced  no  faitli  in 
his  story.  The  man  looked  angrily  at  them, 
i)Ut  restrained  himself,  in  hopes  of  receiving 
lielp. 

"  There's  where  you're  nn'staken,  my  friends  ; 
I  liaven't  had  anything  to  eat  for  two  days, 
and  when  a  strangei"  offered  me  a  swallow  of 
whiskey  to  kee])  up  my  strength,  1  took  it,  as 
a  medicine.  If  it  hadn't  been  for  that,  I'd 
have  rtnnked  riglit  in  tlie  street — sure  as  you 
Uve.  AVhat  are  you  doing,  if  \  may  ask,  in 
Juneau  ?'' 

'*  We  are  listening  to  you  jnst  now,  but  we 
are  on  our  way  to  the  gold  fields,"  replied 
Roswell. 

"Xot  alone?" 

"  We  are  going  with  two  men,  one  of  whom 
has  been  tliere  bc^fore. "" 

"  That's  more  sensible.  Le4  me  H'ive  you  a 
little  advice — " 

"  We  really  do  not  feel  the  need  of  it,"  in- 
terposed Roswell,  who  liked  the  man  less  each 


UP  THE  LVyx  CANAL. 


(il 


minute.     "  V(ni  must  excuse  us,  as  we  wish  to 
join  them  at  the  hotel,     (iood-dav." 

"See  heiv/^  said  tlh    fellow  ano-rilv,  as  he 
laid  his  hand  on   the  arm  of  Frank;    ''ain't 
you  going  to  stake  me  a  bit  >'' 
The  lad  shook  off  his  grasp. 
''  Even  if  we  wished  to  do  so.  we  could  not, 
tor  our  friend  at  the  hotel  has  all  the  funds  that 
belong  to  our  party.     Perhaps  if  you  go  there, 
and  he  believes  the  story,  Afr.  (Iraham  may  do 
something  for  you,  but  Tim  :\[c(:al)e  has'  not 
the  means  with  which  to  helj)  anybody." 

At  mention  of  the  Irishnuin's  nanu^  the  fel- 
low  showed  some  agitation.     Then,  seeing  that 
he  was  alxKit  to  lose  the  expected  aid,  he  uttered 
a  savage  expi-ession  and  exchiimed  : 
"  I  don't  believe  a  word  vou  sav.'' 
"  It  is  no  concern  of  ours  whether  you  be- 
lieve it  or  not,"   replied   Roswell,  as  he  and 
Frank  started  down  the  street   toward   their 
hotel.     The  fellow  was  amazed  at  the  defiance 
of  the  lads,  and  stood  staring  at  thorn  and  mut- 
tering angrily  to  himself.     Coukl  he  have  car- 
ried out  his  promptings,  he  would  have  robbed 
both,  but  was  i-estrained  by  several  reasons. 
In  the  first  phice,  Juneau,  despite  the  influx 


62 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


of  miners,  is  a  law-abiding  city,  and  the  man's 
jn'rest  and  ])unisliiiient  would  have  folloAV'^ed 
s[)eedil\'.  Moreover,  it  would  not  have  been 
un  alto  •'•ether '' sure  thiii<i''  for  lum  to  attack 
the  youtlis.  Tliey  Avere  (exception u I] y  tall,  ac- 
tive and  strong,  and  would  liMve  given  him 
trouble  Avithout  appeal  to  the  iirearms  Avhich 
thev  carri(Ml. 

Tliey  looked  round  and  smiled,  but  he  did 
not  follow  them.  WJien  tliev  reached  the  hotel 
thev  rehited  the  incicUmt. 

"  Would  ye  oblige  me  with  a  description  of 
the  s})alpeen  f '  said  Tim  ]\[cCabe,  after  they 
had  iinished.     Uoswell  did  as  requested. 

''  Be  the  powei's,  it's  him  1"  exclaimed  Tim. 
"  T  's])ected  it  Avhen  ye  told  the  yarn  which 
I've  heerd  he  has  been  telling  round  town." 

''  AVhom  do  vou  mean  ?"  jisked  Frank. 

''  Ilardman,  Ike  Ilardman  himsilf. " 

'^  Who  is  he?" 

"  Didn't  I  tell  ve  he  was  the  one  that  robbed 
me  of  mv  monev  ?  Sure  I  did,  what  is  the 
matter  ,vid  ye  r' 

"  You  told  us  about  being  robbed,"  said.  Jeff, 
''  but  didn't  numtion  the  name  of  the  man  who 
did  it." 


li 


J 


UP  THE  LTiy.Y  CA.YAL,  63 

*'  I  ^vant  to  inrhfodocKv  mosilf  to  him  "'  ex 
claimed  Tim,  flushed  with  indi<.na,tion;' -^x. 
scooso  me  for  a  I)it." 

He  strode  to  the  door  M-ith  the  i„tentio»  of 

'•'"tm- up  „„,!  ehastisiu-,.  the  ,.oo„e,  l,„f.  with 

Ins  liami  ,„i  the  knob,  checked  liiinself      For  ■, 

moment  he  dehntcl  avM,  hhuself.  „„d  th,.„    as 

l"s  l.road  feco  ht   „|,   with  his  „atun,l   .-ood 

h-"„or,  ho  earne  hack  to  his  chair,  ,,„„,pW 
itig- tilde  Tohr  : 

"The  worhl's   l,ig  enoiij.-],  for  tl,e  likes  of 
him  and  n.e,  thongh  iie  do,>s  cn^v.l  a  l,it      Let 
l"ra  g-it  all  the  f.-,x.d  out  of  tlie  theft  he  can 
say  I."  ' 

Dyoa  is  at  the  hea.l  of  uavigation,  and  is  the 
tnnl)er  line,  being  a  hun,lre,l  miles  t,)  the  north 
west  of  Junoan.      ft  i.s  at  the  upper  fork  of 
what  IS  termed  Lynn  Canal,  the  most  extensix-e 
/lord  on  the  coast,     ft  is,  i„  truth,  a  continua- 
tion  of  (^hath,a,n  Strait,  the  north  and  south 
passage  being  several  Imndred  miles  in  extent 
the,vholeforn>ing  tlie  trough  of  a  glacier  which" 
disappeared  ages  ago. 

On  the  day  following  the  incident  described 
onr  friends  boarde<l  tlie  littl,.,  „nti,h-  steam 
launch  bound  for  ])yea.     There  were  liftv  pa. 


64 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


il 


senders  ])esi(le  thenisolves,  double  the  number 
it  was  intended  to  eaiT\',  tlie  destination  of  all 
beint^'  the  i>T)ld  fields.  The  weatlier  was  keen 
and  Inting,  and  the  aeeomniodations  on  the 
boat  poor.  They  jMished  here  and  there,  sur- 
vevino'  with  natural  intc^rest  tlie  bleak  scenery 
idon.^'  shoiv,  the  mountains  white  with  snoAV, 
and  foretelling  tlie  nioie  terrible  regions  that 
lav  bevf)nd.  Hundreds  of  miles  remained  to 
be  traversed  before  they  could  expect  to  gather 
the  vellow  uai'iick^s.  but  neither  of  the  sturdy 
lads  felt  anv  al)atement  of  courao-e. 

'•  Well,  look  at  that  I"  suddenly  exclaimed 
Kos^vell,  catching  the  arui  of  his  companion 
as  they  were  making  their  way  toward  the 
front  of  the  boat. 

Frank  turned  in  tlie  direction  indicated,  and 
his  astonishment  was  as  great  as  his  compan- 
ion's. Tim  McCabe  and  the  shabby  scamj), 
Ike  Ilardman,  were  sitting  near  each  other  on 
a  bench,  and  smoking  their  pipes  like  two  affec- 
tionate brothers.  Xo  one  would  have  suspected 
tliere  had  ever  been  a  ri])ple  betAveen  them. 

Catchiuii'  the  eve  of  the  amazed  bovs,  Tim 
winked  and  threw  u|)  his  chin  as  jvn  iuvitation 
for  them  to  approach.      Frank  shook  his  head. 


i*..^^^ 


UP  THE   LYXX  CAXAL. 


65 


and  ho  and  Rosu'ell  went  back  to  where  Jeff 
was  sinolving  \m  pipe.  They  had  hardly  time 
to  tell  their  story  when  the  Irishman  ^joined 
them. 

"  I  obsarved  by  the  exprJssion  on  your  faces 
that  ye  ^rere  a  l)it  surprised,"  he  said,  address- 
ing the  youths. 

''  Is  that  felJow  the  Ilardman  you  told  us 
about?"  asked  Roswell. 

"  The  same  at  your  saryice. " 

''And  the  man  who  robbed  you  of  your 
money  ?" 

Tim  flung-  one  of  his  muscular  legs  oyer  the 
other,  and  witli  a  twinkk  <,f  tlie  eyes  said  : 

"  Ilardman  has  made  it  all  riglit  ;  tlie  matter 
is  fixed  at  ween  oui'silyes." 

"  Then  he  giye  you  back  yournioney  >"  was 
the  inquiring  remark  of  Jeff. 

"  Not  precisely  that,  tliough  he  said  lie  would 
do  the  same  if  lie  only  had  it  with  him,  but  ho 
run  up  agin  a  game  at  Juneau  and  ;vas  cleaned 
out.  Whin  he  told  me  that  I  Nvas  a  bit  sorry 
for  him.  He  furthei-  o])sarye(l  tJiat  it  was  liL 
intintion  if  he  won  to  stake  me  agin  and  add 
something  extra,  for  intei-est  on  Nyhat  he  bor- 
rowed of  m('.      Th.it  spakos  ^xv\\  for  Ilardman. 


ii 


66 


'!i, 


TIIK  YOUNG  GOLh  SEEKERS. 


SO  we  shook  hands  over  it,"  was  the  liearty 
conclusion  of  T'im. 

The  boys  Arer<'  too  astonished  to  speak.  Jetf 
(rrjdiam's  shoiil(hM-s  shook,  and  he  looked  side- 
ways nt  his  friend  with  a  (juizzical  expression, 
nnahle  to  do  justice  to  his  feelings.  As  for 
Tim,  ])is  red  face  was  the  jxicture  of  ])land  in- 
nocence, hut  he  was  not  throuo-li.  Astounding 
ns  wei-e  the  statements  h(^  lind  just  made,  he 
had  a  still  more  astounding  one  to  submit. 


II  U| 


i  ? 


1     I 


I 


CHAPTER   y. 


THE    AVALAi\CHE. 

It  was  late  in  t\w,  day  that  the  little  steamer 
arrived  at  Dyea,  uiiicli  u'as  found  to  be  a  vil- 
lage Avith  one  log  store,  a  nuniljer  of  movable 
tents,  and  ^vithout  any  Avharf,  tlie  l)eacli  being 
so  flat  that  at  iiigii  wnter  the  tide  reaches  a 
half  mile  or  more  inland.  To  guard  against 
losing  any  of  theiV  supplies,  Tim  .McCabe  told 
his  friends  that  it  Avouid  be  necessary  to  unload 
them  themselves. 

"From  this  p'int,-  said  he,  -we  must  hoe 
our  own  row  ;  under  hiven  we  must  depind  on 
oursilves.  Ilardman,  lind  a  hand  there,  and 
step  lively.'' 

To  the  astonishment  of  the  youths,  the  man 
toolv  liold  and  wrought  with  right  good  will. 
Jed'  looked  at  Tim  queerly  as  he  pointed  out 
the  different  articles,  he  hibiself ,  as  may  be  said, 
overlooking  the  job;  but  th(>  conclusion  wns 
that  the  Irishman  had  promised  him  a  small 

67 


68 


THE  YOUSG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I 


amount  for  his  lielp.  When,  however,  the 
task  was  finished  Tim  came  to  the  grou]),  and 
while  Hardman,  with  shamefaced  expression, 
remained  in  the  l)ackground,  he  said  with  that 
simplicity  which  any  one  would  find  hard  to 
resist  : 

''  You  see  poor  Hardman  is  in  bad  luck  ;  he 
hain't  any  outfit,  and  wants  to  go  to  the  gold 
fields,  but  will  have  to  git  some  one  to  stake 
him.  Obsarving  the  same,  I  made  bowld  to 
remark  that  it  Avould  give  me  frind  Jifi'  th(5 
highest  plisure  to  do  it  for  hhii,  not  forgetting 
to  obsarve  that  I  knew  his  company  would  l)e 
agreeable  to  the  byes,  and  he  will  be  of  great 
liilp  to  the  same. ' ' 

'^  Well,  I'm  blessed!"  exclaimed  the  old 
miner,  removing  his  lint  and  mopping  his  fore- 
head with  his  big  red  liandkerchic^f.  Then  he 
turned  half  way  round  and  loolved  steadily  at 
the  fellow,  who  was  standing  with  his  head 
down. 

''  Poor  dog  !  let  him  come  along,  but  if  he 
makes  any  trouble,  I'll  hold  you  responsible, 
Tim." 

"  And  I'll  be  happy  to  take  charge  of  the 
same  'sponsibility,  Jind  if  he  don't  toe  the  mark, 


i 


THE  AVALANVHE. 


69 


it's  iiiesilf  that  will  make  him.  Do  you  hear 
that,  Iker'  he  roared,  turnino-  Ijercely  toward 
the  fellow,  who  started,  and  meeklv  ivplied  that 
lie  heard,  though  it  Avas  imi,ossible  lor  any- 
tiling  to  reach  him  except  the  last  thunderous 
demand. 

"  It  isn't  for  us  to  say  anytliino,-  remarked 
lloswell  aside  to  his  chum,  -  but  that  means 
trouble  for  us  all." 

''  It  surely  does  ;  we  nuist  be  on  our  guard 
against  him." 

The  outfits  were  i)ih.l  on  a  sandspit  about  a 
mde    below   the   trading  posts  of    Ileaiy   and 
Wilson.      In  the  foregi'ound  ^^xn•e  the  ranch  ami 
store  owned  \^y  them,  and  beyoml  towered  the 
coast  inomitains,   their  tops   gleaming   in  the 
sunshine  with  enormous  masses  of  snow,  while 
humlreds  of  miles  still  beyond  stretched  the  im- 
mense Yukon  country,  toward   Nvhich  the  eves 
of  the  civiliz(Ml  world  are  turned  at  the  present 
time. 

One  of  the  strange  facts  connected  with 
Alaska  and  the  adjoining  I'egion  is  that  in  ]\Iay 
the  sun  rises  at  ;]  o'clock  and  sets  at  1),  Nvhile  in 
'lime  it  rises  at  l.:J()  and  sets  at  lo.;}(i.  Thus 
the  summer  day  is  twentv   hours  long,  and  it 


I 


0 


THE  YOUyO  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


it 


has  a  dilfuse  twilight.  The  change  from  win- 
ter to  summer  is  i'a])i(l,  winter  setting  in  in  Sep- 
tember, and  in  the  Klondike  I'egion  zero  weather 
lasts  from  IS^oveial  e;'  to  May,  tliougli  at  times 
the  weather  moderates  ea  1*1  V  in  Marcli,  but  does 
not  become  settled  until  Mmw  The  Yukon 
generally  freezes  shut  in  the  latter  part  of  Octo- 
ber, and  breaks  up  about  the  middle  of  May, 
when  tlie  AN'estern  route  to  the  gold  li(.4ds  by 
the  river  becomes  practicable. 

The  hour  was  so  late  when  our  friends  had 
llnished  carryino-  their  outfit  be\'(jnd  reach  of 
the  hi<>'li  ti(k>,  whicli  rises  twentv  feet  at  Dvea, 
that  they  lodged  and  took  their  mends  at  the 
ranch  trading  post.  By  arrangement,  an  vdvly 
breakfast  was  eaten  the  next  morning,  and  the 
goods  were  loaded  upon  the  two  Yukon  sleds 
with  wiiich  they  were  provided.  Tliese  were 
seven  feet  long,  sixteen  inches  \\'ide,  and  were 
shod  Avith  steel.  Other  gold-seekers  were  stop- 
ping, like  themselves,  at  the  ranch,  but  they 
lagged  so  much  tliat  when  the  men  and  boys 
lieaded  northward  thev  were  alone. 

Jeff  Graham  and  Ike  Ilardman  passed  the 
rope  attached  to  one  of  the  sleds  over  tlieir 
shoulders,   the  elder  in  advance,   and  led  off. 


THE  AVALANCHE. 


71 


Tim  took  the  lead,  with  the  boys  beliind  him, 
with  tlie  second  sled,  loll,.u-ino-  the  trjiil  left  by 
tlHMV  ri'iends.  The  deep  snow  was  packed  so 
liMi'dthat  no  us(^  was  made  of  the  snow-shoes 
Avliich  Jeff  had  jn-ovided. 

I-rom  Dyea  th(>  trail  led  for  live  miles  over 
ihe  ice,  when  they  reached  the  mouth  of  the 
^ 'tnon.  This  is  two  mil(>s  long  with  un  average 
^vi.lth  of  lifty  feet.  The  sleds  were  dragged 
over  the  strong  ice,  but  later  in  the  season,  when 
it  bi'eaks  up,  travellers  are  oblig(Hl  to  follow 
the  trail  to  the  east  of  the  canim. 

The  party  were  so  unaccustoiiuMl  to  this  kind 
of  labor  that  they  found  it  (exhausting.  Curi- 
ously enough,  Jelf  bore  the  fatigue  Ix^ter  than 
any.  His  iron  umscles  Avere  the  last  to  yield, 
and  he  Avas  the  first  to  resume  the  journey.' 
He  chaffed  the  others,  and  offered  to  let  them 
mount  his  sled  Avhile  he  pulled  them. 

Beyond  the  caiion  is  a  strip  of  Avoods  three 
mHes  in  length,  which  bears  the  iiaine  of  Pleas- 
ant Camp,  though  it  has  not  the  hrst  claim  to 
the  name.  It  does  not  contain  the  ruins  of 
even  a  cabin  or  shanty  -nothing,  in  fact,  but 
trees,  through  which  the  wintry  winds  sough 
and  howl  dismally.     Tlier.'^  rho  pai'tv  haltetl, 


7-^ 


THE  y^orya  (sold  seekers. 


> ,    t 


ate  Ivincli,  rested  for  an  lioiir,  and  then  set  out 
with  the  (h'tciMiiiiiation  to  nuiketlie  next  camp- 
ino'  oTOund  before  ni^iiit. 

The  ascent  now  l)eeaiiie  gradual,  and  before 
the  day  was  spent  tliey  ai'rived  at  Sheep  Camp, 
on  the  edge  of  the  tinibei*.  Tliis  is  the  hist  spot 
wliere  wood  for  fuel  can  l;e  obtjiined  until  the 
other  side  of  C'hilkoot  Pass  is  reached.  The 
tent  was  pitched  on  top  <jf  the  snow,  tlie  poles 
and  pins  being  slioved  down  into  it,  JelF  took 
it  upon  himself  to  cut  what  fuel  was  needed, 
gathering  at  the  same  time  a  liberal  quantity 
of  hemlock  brush,  upon  which  to  spread  their 
blaidvcts  for  beds. 

Since  it  Avas  necessary  to  use  the  stove,  and 
it  nuist  rest  on  the  snow,  a  simple  arj'angement 
provided  against  trouble  from  the  melting  of 
the  latter.  Three  ])oles,  eight  feet  in  length, 
wei*e  laid  parallel  on  the  snow  and  the  stove 
placed  upon  them.  Altiiougli  a  hole  was  soon 
dissolved  beneath,  the  length  of  the  supports 
kept  the  stove  upright. 

The  experience  which  Jeff  and  Tim  had  had 
made  them  both  excellent  cooks,  Avhich  was  a 
fortunate  thino;  for  tli(^  bovs,  since  thev  Avouhl 
have  made  sorry  work  in  })reparing  a  meal;  but 


9 


THE  A  VA  I.AXCIIE. 


:;{ 


the  art  of  tli.  Trislmuni  deserved  the  many  coiii- 
I'h'iit'Uts  It  receive<l.      With  the  aid  of  l,:,king 
I'owder  he  prepared  a  o-oodly  iun,il,er  of  Ijola'^ 
'laky    l,iscuit.    and    by   exposin-   some   of  "the 
butter  to  the  warmth  of  tlie  stove,  it  was  o.,,hI- 
ually  chano-ed  (Vot.i  its  stone-like  hardnes^to  a 
consistency  that  permitted  it  to  be  cut  with  a 
knife  and  spread   upon  the  liot   bread.       rju> 
coffee  was  amber,  dear,  and  fragrant,  and  \vith 
the  condensed  milk  and  suo,u.  would  have  re- 
flected credit  upon  the  c/uf  of  anv  establish- 
ment.    In  addition,  there  wc^-e  fried  bacon  and 
canned  corn. 

Until  this  time  the  boys  liad  never  believed 
they  could  eat  bacon,  but  nothing  could  liave 
had  a  more  delicious  flavor  to  them.     It  ^vas 
not  alone  because  of  their  vigorous  appetites, 
but   partly   on   account    of    the   Intterlv   cohl 
weather.     There  is  a  good  deal  of  animiil  heat 
evolved  in  the  digestion  of  fat  bacon,  and  it  is 
therefore  among  the  favorite  articles  of  food  in 
the  Arctic  regions. 

Probably  there  isn't  a  boy  in  the  counti-v 
who  would  not  revolt  at  the  thought  of  (nitino- 
a  tallow  candhs  and  yet  if  he  Nvas  exposed  to 
tlierigoi-s  of  Greenland  and  the  far  n(^rth    lie 


\ 


¥ 


74 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


I 


would  soon  luuk  iqM»ii  it  us  one  oi  tlie  ^rciiU'st 
(leliciicies  ol"  tlu^  IuIjIl*. 

Tlie  hemlock  bninclies  were  now  spr-ead  on 
top  of  tlie  snow  at  tlu^  side  ol"  the  tent,  a 
lar<^e  square  of  canvas  was  placed  over  them, 
upon  wJiicli  the  hlanUets  and  robes  were 
put,  the  whole  I'orniing  a  sprin<^y,  comforta- 
ble bed. 

Koswell  and  I^'raidv  were  sure  that  in  all  their 
Hves  they  were  never  so  tired.  Leaving  tlie 
three  men  to  talk  and  smoke,  thev  stretched 

-  t, 

out  on  their  blankets,  wra])pin,ij;'  tiiemselves  hi 
them,  and  almost  hnmediately  sauk  into  deep, 
dreandess  shnnbei*. 

The  sleep  had  lasted  perliaps  a  couple  of 
hours,  when,  without  any  a[)parent  cause, 
Frank  AEansley  awoke  in  the  full  possession  of 
his  senses.  Lyino-  motioidess,  Ik.'  listened  to  the 
soft  breathing  of  his  cousin  beside  him,  while 
the  regular  respi  rati  cm  of  the  men  left  no  doubt 
of  their  condition.  Evervthini''  around  was  in 
blank,  impenetrable  darkness  and  all  ])rofoundly 
still. 

"  It's  strange  that  I  should  awake  like  this," 
he  thought,  slightly  shifting  his  position. 
"  I'm  tired,  and  was  so  drowsy  that  I  felt  as  if 


I 


Tiih:  Av.ir.A.xciii.: 


75 


I  could  slcci)  ,1   Week    Imi    I    >,■.,.   „  •> 

I         uLLK,  inu    i    \\;|»^  never  wuloi" 

au-iike  tlian  1  aui  (his  riiiiiiilo—" 

Anii.ltlK,  ,ill-|„.,.vn,iii,..  s wo  1,0  was  sensi- 

I'loofa  lou-.  soloiun  niiin.Mir,  liko  timt  „f  tho 
'listant  .KM,,,..  At  lirsi  it  s<.,.imo(I  to  bo  tlu- 
"  V..1C0  of  .silo„o,."  iivir.  I,„t  it  stoa.lih-  i„. 
emisodi,,  volMMio  „i,til  its  n.,r  l,oca,n..  ov,-,- 
l"'"'«'>'ino-.      ,startl,.,l   a,„l    r,i.|,to,„.,l,    |„.    i,,,- 

still,  won.lonu...  ulmt  it  ,„„l,l  moan.  ,„■  u-lioti,..',. 
las  sonsos  u-o,v  doeoiviiij..  Iiini.  Tlion  |„.  sikI- 
(lenly  r,.mo,nl.on.,l  tho  vast  masses  of  ioo  a,„l 
sn««-  u-hich  ton-,.,v,l  above  th,M„  all  throao.h 
the  ,lay.  IIo  rooallo,!  tho  stories  l,o  had  road 
of  tho  glaciers  an,l  avah.n.^hos,  and  how  Tim 
McCabo  ha.l  rolVire.l  to  tho,,,  as  soniotimos 
overtaking'  travolle.'s  in  this  part  ol^  tho  u-,.,-ld 

He  knew  what  it  meant,  and.  leaping  from 
his  couch,  he  shouted  : 

"^Vakeiip!     Quick!     An  avalanche  is  upon 

US  '" 


H 


CHAPTER  \'l. 


THROUGH    CHILKOOT    PASS. 


Jrih 


As  Frank  ^lanslev's  words  ran«i'  tlirouii'li  tl.u^ 
liMit  tliev  were  followed  l)V  the  awful  i oat*  of 
til!'  descending  avalanche,  and  all  awoke  on 
the  instant.  But  no  one  coulil  do  anything  to 
save  liiniself.  They  could  ordy  cower  and  pray 
to  Heaven  to  protect  them. 

kSoniething  struclc  tlie  si<le  of  tli(^  tent,  like 
the  plunge  of  a  mountain  torrent,  yet  it  was 
not  that,  nor  was  it  the  snow.  Tim  ^^c("al)(» 
knew  its  nature,  and  catching  his  breath,  he 
called  : 

''It\s  the  wind  of  tlie  avahmclK^  !  Tliat 
Avon't  hurt  ye  I" 

The  woikKm'  was  that  it  did  not  blow  the  can- 
vas lik(»  a  I'eathei'  from  its  ])ath;  but  the  tent 
held  its  i)osition,  and  the  a])palling  I'ush  and 
roar  ceased  with  moi'c  su(hh'nuess  than  it  liad 
beii^un.      TIh'  th»'ol)b'nt''  aii'  !)ecame  still. 

Jeff  (rraliam,  who  had  not  spoken,  struciv  a 
7^ 


I 


rmmmn  ciiilkoot  pass. 


1 1 


"'••'t'^l>;  ^'n-1  l.oldino.  i,  ,,|,.,,„  his  head,  peered 
'"•'"""I  tl>"  i'""'.'!...  of  tlu..  tent,  whicl.  he  ol- 
serve.l  iu.d  su.^vd  a  g.,.,,,,  ae.al  r,,„„  tite  i.upac.t 
-'f  tl>e  ,n-uUucl,e's    breath,   tl,,,..-!,    the  .stakes 
I'cM  theh-  plaees  ,,,  the  s„.„v.     He  sa.v  LVank 
Munsley   standing    pale    ^^•ith    aff,.i..Ut,    whil,. 
^^"'^"7"'  ^'"'"«- '-   ^''"^^  ^''%«  of  his  coueh,  ^^•as 
-lually  startled.      Ike  Ilardn.an  had  eo^-ered 
l"s  inee  u-ith  his  blanket,  like  a  ehild,  ud,,,  thus 
.seeks  t„  eseape  an  impending,  danger,     [ncredi- 
We  us  It  ,nay  .seen,.  Tin,  MeC'al^e  «-as  fillin<.  his 
I'lpe  ,n  tl,e  glo,,n,.  p,.epa,.a(,„.y  to  a,  sniok..." 

'•  lie  uisy,-  u-as  l,is  eo,„n,ent,  a.s  he  struck  a 
-»ateh  an.l  held  it  above  the  bond  ;  -  ue're  a.s 
•sate  as, fin  -Frisco,  and  a  little  safe,.,  for  ifs 
"•'""  .^■^'a,.e  there  ye  are  lial,le  to  ha.ve  an  a,rtl,- 
quake  tn.nble  the  buildings  about  yer  hiil." 

-Wasn-t   tl,at   a,i   avalanche  r''    asked   the 
iiniazed  P'rank. 

-It  "-as  that,  but  it  didn-t  hit  n.,.     If  „.e 
'a.l  put  ,q,  the  tint  a  little  boyant  and  further 
to  the  ,.,gl,t,  (ve'd've  been  nutshed  flat  " 

He  spoke  the  truth.  The  cno,.n,ous  nta.ss  of 
snou-,  ^^-eighin„.  thot.san,ls  of  tons,  ha.l  topple.l 
over  an.l  shM  ,h,u-n  the  niounta in-side  u-iti,  -, 
roar  hke  .\iaga,.a,  l,„(  stopp,.d  .sho,.t,  j„st  Ix; 


I  ! 


:   I 


!■         t 


78 


THE  yOUJ\G  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


fore  roacbm<2f  the  tciit.  Some  of  the  featherv 
particles  sailed  forwarti  and  struck  the  canvas, 
the  greatest  effect  being  ])r()(hiced  ])V  the  wind, 
hut  the  monster  was  ])alsie(l  before^  he  could 
reach  forward  and  seize  liis  victnns. 

When  the  situation  b'^canie  clear,  every  one 
uttered  expressions  of  gratitud(\  l)ut  the  boys 
were  not  relieved  of  all  tVar.  AVliat  had  taken 
place  might  occur  again. 

"  Kot  a  bit  of  it,"  was  Tim's  I'eassuring  re- 
ply. '^  I've  obsai'V(Ml  t!i(^  things  before,  and 
we  shan't  be  l)otliere(l  agin  to-iiight.  Take 
me  advice  and  go  to  sleep,  which  the  same  is 
what  I  shall  do  mesilf  as  soon  as  I  finishes  me 
smokr. " 

The  shock,  however,  liad  been  too  great  for 
all  to  compose  th«'ir  n<M*ves  at  once.  Jeff  was 
the  first  to  succumi).  liavinu-  faith  in  tlie  assnr- 
ance  of  liis  fi'i(Mid,  and  Ikc^  llardnuin  soon  fol- 
lowed him  in  the  land  of  dj'eams.  P'rank  and 
Roswell  la\'  for  a  lon<>'  time  talkinu-  in  low 
tones,  but  finally  drowsiness  overcame  them, 
and  with  tln^  pungent  odor  of  Tim's  pipe  in 
their  nosti'ils  they  sank  into  slumbei',  which 
was  not  bi'oken  until  Jeff'  called  to  them  that 


t  I 


;, 


bn>akfast  was  waitiuii'. 


Timouan  cuilkoot  pass. 


79 


' 


k 


The  melted  snou-  furnished  wliat  water  thcx 
m^eded   to  drink    and   in   wliich   to    hiw   their 
faces  and   hands.     Th.^i,    before   eatin-,    th.^y 
ImiTied  outsKh'  the  tent  to  siirv.-y  th("snowv 
•nountaiii   that  had  come  sn   n.ar  sv/aHou-inn- 
them    up.     They   were   lided   with   amazemen't 
wJien    th(w    h)ok(>d    ii}>(,„    the   vast   j.ih^   amiM 
which  W(>reohsiM've<l  many  eh.mks  and  ma.sses 
of  ic(N  s(n-eral  tliat  must  haxv  ^vo■vJ;hei]  hundrcis 
ol'  l)ounds,  lyin.o-on  the  snow  within  a  few  yarns 
of  tlie  tent.     Had  on-  of  thes(>  h.-en  preeijutated 
against  the  sheh<r,  it   wouhl   haw  (crushed  the 
inmates,  ]ik(^  the  ehargv  from   th(^   most  enor- 
mous of  our  seacoast  -uns.      It  xvas  a  providen- 
tin]  eseajv,  indeed,  f,„-  our  IViends,  and  it  was 
no   wonder  that  th.w  continued   to  discuss   it 
hik!  to  .express  their  o-ratitude  to  Heaven,  that 
had  mercifidly  shiehl.Ml   tJif^m    wliih^  they  sh^pt. 
Standing  at  Slieep  Camp,  they  saw  the  sum- 
mit towering  tliii-ty-live  Jiundred   feet  in  front, 
though  rhJJkoot  Pass,  wliicli  th(w  Nvere  to  fo]-^ 
low,  is  live  liundr(Hl   feet  Jowt>r.     The  task  of 
eJimbing  to  tlie  summit  of  this  pass  is  of  the 
most    trying   nature    conceivable,    and    majiN- 
g-old  seekers    have    turned     ])ack    in    despair. 
Terriiic  ^^•eathe,•  is  often  encountered,  and  m^n 


I   11 


i     i 


«0 


THE  YOrxa  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i 


. 


I) 


Ihavo  becMi  lield  in  canij,  ("oi-  weeks,  during 
which  the  crest  of  the  iiK^untuiiis  \v;is  liiddon 
by  clouds  and  tciiipesls,  and  the  whirling  snow 
and  sleet  were  so  hliiKhn*''  that  thev  hardlv 
ventured  to  peep  out  frcjui  ilieir  tent.  Tlio 
weather  was  such  as  has  hallled  tlie  most  in- 
trepid of  exi)iorers  for  centuries  in  their  searcii 
for  the  Noi'th  Pole. 

Oui'  fi'iends  wei'e  unusually  fortunate  in 
being  favored  \vith  good  weatluM'.  there  being 
h.ii'dh'  an\'  wind  slirrini'',  while,  nun'e  wonder- 
fid  than  all,  the  sun  shoiu'  IVom  an  unclouded 
skw  in  a  section  where  the  clear  (hivs  averao'e 
less  than  seventy  in  nundierin  the  course  of  the 
entire  vear. 

No  one  who  has  ever  clind)(^d  (Uiilkoot  Pass 
will  forget  it.  Some,  alas  I  who  have  made  the 
attempt  never  succeeded  in  reaching  the  other 
sid(^,  but  perished  in  the  frightful  region  ;  while 
manv  more  have  become  disheartened  bv  the 
])erils  and  dilliculties  and  turned  back  Avlien  on 
the  threshold  of  the  mod(M'n  El  Dorado.  At 
the  foot  of  the  Dass  our  fi'iends  met  two  men, 
bending  low  with  the  packs  strap[)ed  to  their 
shoulders,  and  ])loddiug  wearily  southward, 
'^im  called  to  them  ((►  know  whnt  the  troid:>lc 


THROUGH  CllILKOOT  PASS. 


«1 


was,  and  received  a  glum  answer,  accompanied 
by  an  oath  tiiat  they  had  had  enough  of  such 
a  country,  and  if  they  ever  lived  to  reach  Xe\v 
York,  they  would  shoot  any  man  wlio  ])r()- 
nounced  the  word  "  Kh)ndike"  in  their  |)i'es- 
ence. 

It  is  a,  curious  fact  regarding  this  famous  i)ass 
tluit  the  snow  with  wliich  it  is  ciioked  is  what 
nudves  it  possil)le  lor  travcL  Tiie  snow  some- 
times lies  to  the  deptli  of  fiftv  or  sixtv  feet,  and 
from  Fe])ruai'y,  tlirough  A[ay,  and  often  June, 
its  smooth  surface  allows  one  to  walk  over  it 
without  troubh\  Shoukl  it  be  fine  and  vieldin^r 
tlie  snow-shoes  come  into  play,  but  when  the 
crust  is  hard,  no  l)etter  support  could  be  asked. 
The  trouble  lies  in  the  steep  inclint-,  which  be- 
comes more  deckhMl  tii.'  liighci-  one  climbs. 

Underneath  this  enormous  mass  rush  violent 
torrents  of  water,  which,  hollowing  out  pas- 
sages f(n"  themselves,  leave  the  snow  white 
arches  far  above,  over  which  one  walks  upon  a 
natund  Imdge.  Lilei-  m  the  seasim,  when  the 
etfeets  of  the  warm  weather  are  felt,  these 
arches  beo-iii  to  tumble  in.  and  the  incautious 
traveller  wli<»  misses  his  footino- and  drops  into 
one  of  the  hu;:'e  crevices  is  lost. 


iii 


l" 


i  « 


82 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


•I 


'  I 


11! 


As  has  been  said,  tlu^  ^^tcepness  increases  as 
one  approaches  the  top,  the  last  five  hundred 
feet  being  hke  the  roof  of  a  house.  Bending 
forward  under  their  h)ads,  our  friends  often 
found  t]]eir  noses  within  a  fe\v  inches  of  the 
snow,  wliile  masses  of  rock  pi'otruding  in  many 
phices  added  to  the  dilficulties  of  traveL  The 
combined  strength  of  the  party  was  re(]uired  to 
get  a  single  sled  to  the  top.  AVhih^  one  Avas 
left  behind,  they  joined  in  pushing  and  pulling 
the  other,  with  frequent  paus(>s  foi'  rest,  until, 
after  hours  of  the  hardest  work  conceivable, 
they  succeeded  in  reacliingthe  sumuiit.  Then, 
restinof  a«:ain,  thev  be«'an  their  descent  for  the 
other  sled.  Tt  was  fortunate  tliat  the  crust  of 
the  snow  removed  the  m^ed  of  using  the  long- 
snow-shoes,  whose  mak(>  suggests  the  bats  used 
in  playing  tennis,  for  the  men  were  the  only 
ones  who  knew  how  to  handle  the  awkward 
contrivances,  which  would  have  proved  a  sore 
perplexity  for  lloswell  and  Frank. 

Under  sonu^.  cii'cumstaiices  it  becomes  a  ques- 
tion which  is  tli(?  harder,  to  descend  or  ascend  a 
steep  hill.  Di's]_)ite  the  uhiiosl  care,  the  whole 
five  stuuibled  si^veral  tini<'s.  Koswell  felt  thr 
chills  run  tlironu"l>   liini.  and   ho  lidd  liis  Vn'catli 


THiionin  rmLKoor  pass. 


S3 


in  dismay  when  ho  saw  liiniseJf  slidhi^r.  tow.nd 
the  edge  of  a  ravine,  over  whicli  if  lie  fell  ho 
would  liave  been  (hished  to  deatli  (»ii  the  in- 
stant. AVliile  desperately  try  inn-  to  cheek  himself, 
lie  shouted  for  lielp,  but  it  looked  e(nially  fatal 
for  any  one  to  venture  near  him,  since  the  slope 
Avas  so  abrupt  that  he  couhl  not  check  himself. 
Jeff  Graham  was  cjiiryinu-  tiie  coil  of  i-opc 
which  he  h;id  loosened  from  the  iirst  sled,  and, 
seeing  the  peril  of  his  young  friend,  he  Hung 
the  end  toward  him  with  the  skill  ot  a  .^^exican 
oi'  cowboy  in  throwing  tlie  rifa,  or  lasso.      The 
youth  was  shpphig downward  on  his  fa(.'e,  with 
his  terriiied  countenance  turned  ai)i)ealinoiv  to 
his  friends,  ^vhiie  he  tried,  by  jamming  hiV;  toes 
ami  clutching  at  the  surface,  to  check  himself, 
and   Frank  was  on  the  ))oint  ol  going  to  his 
lielp  when  the  eml  of  the  rope  struck  his  siioiil- 
(hn^  and  he  seized  it  with  both  hands.     The  next 
minute  he  Avas  drawn  back  to  safetv. 

'M^m  surprised  wid  ye,"  remarked  Tim 
McCabe,  when  the  panting  youth  stood  [imong 
them  again.  -  [  thought  ye  wei'e  too  tired  to 
indulge  in  any  such  foolin'.  Whin  ye  want  to 
slide  down  hill,  make  use  ol'  the  slid  instead  of 
your  stummick." 


VfV  ' 


84 


TfrE  Ynuycr  golj)  slekfus. 


) 

I 

i 
1 

*'  ) 


i      I 


r ; 


''  I  don't  think  I'll  want  to  do  anvmore  slid 
ing  down  hill  in  tliis  ])art  of  the  Avorld,"  replied 
the  frightened,  but  grateful  youth. 

Once  more  they  bent  to  tlieii*  work,  and  pull- 
ing tlieniselves  togetlier,  succeeded  at  last  in 
reaching  the  suniuiit  with  the  second  sled,  the 
whole  party  utt(^rly  used  up.  Even  Jeff 
Graham  sat  down  ou  one  of  the  loads,  panting 
and  too  tircMl  to  sju/ak.  AVhen  he  found  voice, 
he  said  : 

"  What  fools  we  aiv  !  And  vet  if  I  went 
back  to  'Frisco,  IM  start  agin  for  the  Klondike 
the  next  day;  so  I  reckon  we'll  keep  on." 

^o  one  res])on(led,  for  thev  were  so  Avearied 
that  talking  itself  was  labor. 

Looking  to  tlie  southwest,  they  could  see  the 
blue  shinmier  of  tlie  Pacific,  where  the  Gulf  of 
Alaska  rolls  its  white  surges  against  the  dismal 
shores.  Far  in  the  distance  a  faint  line  against 
the  sky  showed  whei'e  a  steamer  was  probably 
ploughing  its  way  to  St.  Michael's,  with  hun- 
tlreds  of  gold-seekers  on  board,  the  van  of  the 
army  that  is  pushing  toward  the  Klondike 
from  the  AVest,  the  South,  jind  the  East,  until 
it  would  seem  that  even  that  immense  region 
must  ov(n^f]()  \'  with  tlie  innumerable  multitudes, 


I 


TUnoiUni   flULKOOT  /Ms.s. 


86 


clrnwn  thitlui'  by  tlic  most  rosistWs  magnet 
that  can  make  men  bravi-  ju'i'li,  sutlVriii;^',  and 
(h^atli. 

Tui'niiig"  in  the  opposite  direction,  they  saw 
the  monntain  sh)pe  melting'  away  in  the  great 
valley  of  the  Yukon,  with  the  trail  U'aiUue- 
through  a  narrow,  rocky  gaj),  and  witli  naked 
granite  rocks  rising  steeply  to  the  ])artly  snow- 
chid  mountains.  Thei)arty  had  been  fortunate 
in  completing  tlie  ascent  in  less  than  a  chiy, 
when  it  often  rcnpiires  t^vice  as  long.  The  iirst 
Iialf  mile  of  the  d(^sc<Mit  was  steep,  when  the 
slope  becomis  more  gi'adiud.  Tin'  glare  of  the 
snow  compelled  all  to  use  their  ^'lasses,  and 
seven  miles  from  the  summit  th(w  reached  the 
edge  of  tindx^r,  wlieri^  camp  was  made. 

Freed  iVom  all  fear  of  descending  avalanches, 
with  plenty  of  food  and  wood  for  fuel,  the  ex- 
hausted golddmnters  lay  down  on  their  blan- 
kets, resting  upon  moi'<^  liemlock  boughs,  and 
enjoyed  the  most  refreshing  sleep  sinct^  leaving 
the  steamer  at  Timeau.  It  was  not  until  con- 
sideral)ly  after  daylight  that  Jeff  awoke  and 
started  a  new  fire,  with  which  to  pre])are  their 
breakfast,  and  when  that  ^vas  readv  the  bovs 
were  roused  from  slumber. 


I' 


I'l  r 


:1] 


86 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKKItS. 


\\' 


Tluy  wero  now  witliin  three  miles  ;>;  I.ake 
LindciiKin,  ;i  Ixxly  of  water  five  miles  in  Iciinlh, 
and  the  jouiMiev  was  speedily  made.  Il  was 
on  the  shore  of  this  hike  tliat  tlie  ])arty  ex])eet(Hl 
to  build  a  raft  or  boat  with  which  to  mak(^  the 
long,  rough  voyage  to  the  Yukon,  hut,  to  their 
pleased  surprise,  they  found  an  old  Indian,  Avith 
a  Inroad  scow,  anxious  to  trans|)ort  tliem  and 
their  luggage  to  the  foot  of  tlie  lake.  Fie  had 
already  secured  three  men  and  tli(M"i'  outfits, 
but  was  able  to  carry  the  ne^v  arrivals,  and 
Jeff  Avas  not  long  m  making  a  bargain  with 
him. 


:|i; 


:i 


CHAPTER  VII. 


A   SIGNIFICANT    DISCOVERY. 


Game  is  so  scarce  in  the  valley  of  the  Upper 
Yukon  and  in  the  Klondike  countrv  that  nianv 
gold-seekers  take  no  iirearnis  at  jiU  with  them. 
Years  ago  tlie  Indians  showed  occasional  hos- 
tility to^var(l  the  missions  and  trading-posts, 
but  nothing  now  is  to  be  feared  from  them. 
They  are  often  liired  to  heli)  cari'v  loads  thrbiio-h 
the  })asses,  and  with  that  aptitude  for  imitating 
the  white  man,  they  have  speedily  learned  to 
charge  high  prices  for  their  labor. 

Before  leaving  Juneau,  Jeff  (Trahani  pre- 
sented each  of  his  little  party  Avith  an  excellent 
revolver,  quoting  the  remark  which  a  cowboy 
once  made  to  a  tenderfoot  : 

"  You  may  not  want  the  wea])on  often,  but 
when  you  do  vou'll  want  it  mii^litv  bad.'' 

Jeff  took  with  him  his  own  pistol  which  he 
had  carried  for  years,  besides  which  he  was  pro- 
vided with  a  fine  Winchester  rifle.     He  knew 

87 


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33  WEST  MAIN  STRtfET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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88 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i! 


f( 


fl' 


h 


;; 


I 


he  was  not  likelv  to  find  any  use  for  it  in  shoot- 
ing  game,  but  he  grimly  observed  that  if  a  pistol 
should  ])rove  li;i udy.  tlu»  larger  weapon  was  apt 
to  ])rove  uuu'li  itKU'e  so. 

Tiie  Indian  wlio  engag(Ml  to  take  them  to  the 
foot  of  Lake  Lindcman  was  old,  but  wiry  and 
tough,  and  understood  his  business.  He  could 
speak  a  few  Avords  of  English,  Avhich  an- ere 
enough  for  his  purposes.  He  raised  a  sniaJJ 
soiled  sail  of  canvas  on  the  scow,  and  Avitli  the 
help  of  a  long  i)ole  kept  the  heavily  laden  craft 
moving.  Altliough  the  lake  was  open  thus 
early  in  tlie  season,  tlie  shores  were  lined  witl 
ice,  much  of  it  extending  into  th(^  water  for  a 
nund)er  of  I'ods.  Huge  cakes  sometimes 
bumped  against  the  scow,  but  they  caused  no 
damage,  and  did  not  interfere  with  its  }>rogress. 

The  three  men  who  liad   lirst  en<»aii'ed  the 

<T>      ~ 

boat  looked  as  if  they  had  come  a  hmo-  distance. 
Our  fi'iends  had  no  recollection  of  having  seen 
them  on  the  steamer  fi'om  Seattle  or  on  the 
steam  launch  that  connects  Juneau  with  Dvea 
at  the  head  of  l.vnn  ('jinal.  AVherc  thev  came 
from,  therefore,  was  a  mystei'v,  the  prcjbability 
beinir  that  they  had  been  loiterino-  about  l)y<'a 
for  a  long  time,  waiting  foi'  the  season  to  ad- 


I 


I    SKiNIFICAyr  DISCO  VFMY 


89 


I 


vanco  sutlicientlv  to  iillow  them  to  sijirl  lor  the 
Yukon.  Thev  seemed  roser\  s'd  to  the  jxjint  of 
siillenness,  keeiuiig  by  tlioinselvcs  jind  sliowing 
so  much  antipathy  to  any  approacli  that  tliey 
were  let  alone. 

But  just  l)eforc  the  foot  of  th(^  hike,  nearly 
six  miles  distant,  was  rejiched.  Frank  Mansley 
]nade  an  inten^stiii^'  (list*over\ .  The  most  ill- 
favored  of  th(^  trio  was  an  accjuaintance  of  Ike 
llar(hnan.  Xo  one  else  noticed  the  significant 
fact,  and  it  was  ])artly  through  aceklent  that 
the  truth  came  to  the  lad. 

The  two  men  acted  as  if  sti'angers,  not  ex- 
changing a  wor<l  on  the  ])assage,  and  seemingly 
feeling  no  interest  in  each  otluM'.  All  of 
Frank's  friends  wei'e  near  tlie  l)ow  of  the  boat, 
looking  to  wliere  they  \vere  soon  to  touch  shore. 
Two  of  the  strangers  were  standing  just  l)ack 
of  and  near  them,  while  llai'dman  was  in  the 
middle  of  the  boat,  apparently  watching  the 
old  Indian  as  he  plied  his  paddle  with  untii'in 


(I' 


vigor. 


The  third  stninger  was  at  tiie  st(M*n,  seated  on 
the  gunwale,  smoking  a  clay  ])i])e  and  seem- 
ingly  taking  no  note  of  anything  about  him.' 
AYlien  Ike  llardman  saunt<M'(Ml  among  the  piles 


w 


\  , 


I 


90 


TUK  VOrrXG  GOLI>  si'.'KKEns. 


\    > 


(»r  luiiiin;'-('  to  Uic  iviii",  Fi'ank  was  iiiii)('llt'(n)V  an 
iiiipulsi'  \'<)V  \\!iicli  lie  could  not  account  to  watch 
liiiii.  He  had  no  \vcll-<lrlincd  suspicion,  and  least 
of  all  <lid  lie  sus[)C('t  what  j)rovcd  to  be  the  trntli. 

llai'dinan  lialted  a  few  paces  tVoni  the  man 
sittin<;-  on  the  cd^^o  of  the  l)oat,  and,  so  far  as 
appearances  went,  did  not  ])ay  any  attention 
to  him.  A  ([uick,  furtive  glance  to  tli(»  Iront 
put  the  hid  on  his  ou.-u'd.  and  \u\  too,  turned 
Ills  face  towai'<l  land,  hut  liis  ])(>sition  was  such 
that  lie  couhl  look'  sideways  at  the  two,  while 
not  seeminii'  to  do  so. 

Suddeidy  llai'dman,  with  his  hack  ])artly 
toward  the  youth,  niadi^  a  sign  with  his  hands, 
tli(^  nieaidng'  of  wliicli  Fravik  could  not  catch, 
because  the  si«^'nal  was  not  fully  seen.  l)Ut  the 
fellow  sitting  down  nodded  his  head,  ruid  taking 
his  pi})e  from  between  his  lips,  said  something  in 
so  guarded  a  voice  that  only  the  eai's  for  which 
the  words  \vere  intended  couhl  uiulerstand  them. 

This  brief  interchange  ought  to  have  been 
enough,  but  llardman  did  not  a})])ear  to  think 
so.  rie  ste[)ped  somewhat  closei",  and  he,  too, 
spoke,  still  gesticulating  with  one  of  his  hands. 
The  man  acUlressed  was  im])atii  nt.  lie  nodded 
again  in  a  jei'ky   fashion,   and   made   answer 


A   SIGNIFICANT  DISCO  VhmY 


91 


witli  less  caution.  ;is  a  cohsihiikmici^  of  which 
the  e;iV(S(h'()i)[)('r  ('.luoht  th(»  uMjnls,  ''  Vcs, 
yes,  to-iiiiiiit  ;   I  inidci'stand.'' 

nardinaii  was  satislied,  and  came  hack  to 
tlie  IVont  of  the  hont,  which  was  now  approach- 
in<^-  the  shore.  His  friend  snujked  a  lew  min- 
utes until  the  scow  humped  anaiest  the  j)i'ojcc- 
t ion  of  ice,  and,  rhc  old  In(h'aii  leaping' lin-ht|v 
(►ut,  carried  the  lieavv  stone  anchor  as  far  as 
the  rope  wouhl  pei'mit.  This  held  the  hoat  in 
place,  and  tiie  uidoadinn-  heii-iin.  The  Indian 
offered  to  Iielj)  lor  an  extra va«^ant  j)ric<>,  hut 
his  offer  was  refused.  ;ind  the  iN'spective  i)ai'ties 
busied  themsefvcN  with  their  own  work. 

The  discovery  made  by  Fraidc  Mansley  caused 
him  considerable  uneasiufNs.  Tlu*  dislik<>  which 
lit'  felt  toward  llardman  the  first  time  he  saw 
him  had  nevei'abat'd,  ;ind  it  was  the  same  with 
his  cousin.  Voun*^*  as  they  wei'c,  thev  felt 
that  a  gi'ejit  mistake;  was  made  wlien  flardman 
was  allowed  to  join  the  party,  an<l  thev  won- 
(h'l'cd  that  .l<'tf  ])ermitt(Ml  it,  but,  as  has  l)een 
sliown,  tliey  were  too  (liscr<H't  to  object. 

That  Ilaivlinan.  on  his  part,  detested  the 
youths  was  ai)parent,  thou,L;h  he  ti'ied  to  con- 
ceal tiie  feeling  when  he  feared  it  niio-jit  attract 


iH.f 


•)^H 


1 


9*J 


THK   YOrXG  GOLD  SEEKEIiS. 


the  uttcntii.'ii  of  others.      lie  had  littU'  to  sav  to 

« 

them  oi'  they  to  liiin.  Frank  derided  to  tell  Ids 
chiiiii  of  the  diseoverv  he  liad  iiuide,  and  thev 
would  consult  MS  to  whethei'  thev  should  take 
,1  elf  and  Tim  into  their  con lidence. 

"Nrean while,  the  ti'io  gathered  their  loads  u]K)n 
tlieii'  hacks  and  stai'ted  northward  without  so 
inncli  as  calling;'  <'(K)d-bv  to  those  wliom  thev 
left  behind,  and  who  wei'e  not  sorrv  to  |)art 
coni])anv  Avith  them. 

Theg'old-hnnters  liad  had  a  little  lift  cm  their 
journ(\v,  hut  it  was  not  worth  considering,  in 
view  of  wliat  remained  before  them.  A  mile 
advance  with  sle<ls  and  their  ])acks  took  them 
to  the  head  of  Lak(^   IJennc^t,  where  it  mav  be 

t. 

said  the  navigation  of  the  "\'ukon  I'eallv  Ix^uins. 
The  lake  is  about  twenty-eiglit  miles  long,  con- 
tains a  nmnber  of  islands,  and  in  going  to  the 
foot  one  passes  from  Alaska  into  Ihntish  Co- 
lumbia. Along  its  shores  were  scores  of  miners, 
husilv  engaged  in  buihlin;''  boats  with  Avhich  to 
make  the  rest  of  the  journev.  Sad  to  sav, 
owing  to  their  im])ati(mce  and  lack  of  skill,  som<» 
of  the  boats  were  so  Himsv  and  ill- constructed 
that  they  were  certain  to  go  to  ])ioces  in  the 
fierce  rapids  below,  and  add  thei]"  owners  to 


m 


.4   SIOIilFICAjST  niSi'UVERY. 


93 


the  long  list  of  victims  whoso  bodies  strew  the 
pathway  from  Chilkoot  to  the  L^pper  Vukon. 

Here,  too,  it  became  necessary  for  our  friends 
to  build  a  craft,  and  since  it  was  couiparativeh 
early  in  tlie  day,  Jeff  and  Tim,  eacli  with  an 
axe  over  his  shoulder,  went  into  the  wood,  al- 
ready partly  cut  down,  Ilanhnan  accompany- 
ing them,  in  order  to  bear  his  turn.  The  bovs 
remained  behind  to  guard  tlie  property,  though 
their  neighbors  were  so  occupied  with  their  own 
affairs  that  they  gave  them  little  heed.  Frank 
took  the  opportunity  to  tell  his  companion 
what  he  had  observed  on  the  boat  while  cross- 
ing the  lake. 

"  Ilardman  has  joined  our  company  for  some 
evil  purpose,"  said  Roswell,  ^' and  the  other 
man  is  his  partner  in  the  plot." 

''  But  they  are  gone,  and  we  may  not  see 
them  again." 

''  One  of  them,  at  least,  has  an  understand- 
ing with  Ilardman,  and  will  keep  him  within 
hailing  distance. " 

"  We  will  say  nothing  to  Jeff  oi*  Tim  until 
to-morrow  ;  I  feai'  that  we  shall  learn  some- 
thing to-night. " 

The  boy  was  right  in  his  supposition. 


% 


{ 


w 


I 


CHAiniu}  VIII. 


THE    PLOTTERS. 


1* 
J' 


1    t 


i'i^ 


iifl 


All  (lav  loni»'  the  two  axrs  swunir  vi<j:orous- 
ly.  Hotli  JclV  and  Tim  wcro  export  woodmen, 
and  tlun'  tVll(Nl  i)in('  aftei'  pine.  Ilardman 
pleadcMl  tliat  he  was  nnaccustomed  to  sncli 
work  ;  Ixit  JelT  grimly  told  him  he  could  never 
have  a  Ix^tei'  chance  to  learn  to  cut  down 
trees,  and  compelled  him  to  take  his  turn. 
The  work  was  continued  until  dai'k.  which,  it 
will  be  i'ememl)ere(l,  comes  mnch  latiM'  in  the 
far  Xorth  than  in  our  latitude. 

The  distance  i)etween  the  scene  of  theii'  woi'k 

and  tli(^  ])oint  whei'e  the  outlits  and  jj^-oods  w«>re 

])ile(l   was  so  slii^lit  that  there  was  really  no 

need  of  the  bovs  reniainin<>'  on  <»uai'd.      I'eel- 

ing  that   they    wei'e    favored   to<j    much,   they 

sanntered  to  the  wood  and  asked  the  privilege 

of  taking'  a  hand  in  fellin'j:  the  trees.     It  was 

pi'anted  ;  but  thev  made  such  sorrv  work,  find- 

iiii;-  it  almost  impossible  to  sink  the  blade  twice 
94 


THE  PLOTTERS. 


96 


in  the  sMino  spot,  tl,.-,r  tl.ry  yioMc,!  tho  imple- 
ments to  tlH,S(^  who    un(l(TSt<M„l    ih,^   ImsilKSSsn 

]nuc!i  iK.'ttc)'. 

The  smnv  u-as  d.vp,  and  tl.o  c,nnp  u-as  .nucl, 
thesanioastlKMMi,"  mad*' Im>I(„v  (>nh'nn<.- Chi]. 

kootPass.      All  uv,v,i,v(|.an<llar<I<.wnarur 

the  ovenino.  ,,u.al,  o-hul  <)!•  tluM.pportunitv  In,,  a 
few  liours'  slee]). 

In  ac('or(lan(v  uith  thnV  a-ivtMuciit,  th(.  Im.vs 
said    notliino-   to   cither  of   their   lVi(>nds  al.ont 
\vhat  Frank  had  obserNvd  on  the  Imat.      It  uas 
'ind.M'stood    hetu'een    them    that    thev    wen«   to 
'■<M>n    sleep,  hut    to   keep    wateh    of'  ilanl.nan 
'Innn-the  nio-ht  as  Ion u-  as  they  could  n>main 
••'^val«^      Ordinarily   it  is  a  dilHeult   if  not  iui- 
l)ossd,le  tusk   for  one  to   fi-lit  oil' the  insidious 
approach  of  slnndxT,  hut   Frank   Afanslev  iiad 
^n'ou-ht  himself  into  such  a  state  of  anxiety 
tliat  he  was  sure  hv.  could  command  his  sensJs 
until  well  toward  morning-. 

in>  and  Uoswell  lay  under  the  samc>  blanket, 
^^th  their  hacks  to  each  other,  while  the  others 
v.cre  hy  tJiems(^lves,  the  interior  of  the  tent 
l»aroly  permitting  the  arrai,o,Mnent.  Had  any 
one  st(vilthily  (^nten^l  fifteen  minutes  afteV 
flicy   had   lain  down,  he  would    have  d.H-larc.l 


ij 

i 


!'!!  t 


n 


96 


THE  YOUSG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


':"l 


M  i 


m\ 


\-  '^: 


that  all  were  asleep,  tliouii'h  sueli  was  not  the 
fact. 

Despite  his  nervousness,  Frank  was  beginning 
to  feel  drowsv  when  lie  was  starth^l  and  set 
on  edge  by  a  sound  tluit  penetrated  the  pro- 
found silence.  It  resembled  the  whistle  of  a 
l)ird  from  tin;  timlxM-,  sol't.  eleai',  and  trcMiiu- 
hnis.  Almost  in  tlie  siimc  instant  he  lieard  one 
of  the  men  I'ise  st(>altliily  from  his  eoueh.  It 
was  easv  to  determine,  U'inu    the  (biection  of 

t. 

the  slight  rusth\  tiiat  it  was  Ilanhnan. 

Frank  thrust  his  elbow  into  tlu?  l>aek  of  his 
comrade  as  a  warning  for  liim  to  be  alert  ;  but 
there  was  no  response.  Koswell  had  been 
asleep  for  an  hour.  It  was  too  dai'k  to  pei'- 
ceive  anything  within  the  tent,  tliouiih  all  was 
clear  outside  ;  but  the  bid's  senses  were  in  that 
tense  condition  that  he  heai'd  the  man  lift  the 
flap  of  the  tent  and  move  softly  over  the  snow 
on  the  outside.  With  the  same  silence,  Fi'ank 
flung  back  the  blanket  that  enveh>[)ed  him  and 
step[)ed  out  on  the  packed  snow  of  the  interior. 
Pausing  but  a  moment,  he  cre})t  through  the 
opening.  In  thatcohl  region  men  sleep  in  their 
clothing,  so  he  had  nothing  to  fear  from  ex- 
posure. 


THE  PLOTTERS. 


97 


The   nio-lit    was    brilliantly    clear,    the    sky 
stmldod   with   stars,   and   not   a   hrt^Uh  of   air 
sthTin-      lie    remained    a    hri(>f    wliik^    \\x   a 
croucliino-  posture,  uhih"  he  pcM-red  in  different 
direetions.      V.^^fnrv  him  stretehcvl   the  hike,  its 
shonvs  erusted  with  snow  and  ie(^  witli  the  cold 
water  shinin-  in  th(«  star-leam.     Still  stooping 
low  and    lookino-   intently   nhout   him,  he  saw 
sonK^hino-    move    hetwi'en    the    tent    and    the 
water.     A   seeond   olance  reveided    Ifardman, 
who  was  standing  idoneand  looking  about  him,' 
as  if  he  expected  the  approach  of  some  person! 
Impatient  at  the  dehiy,  h(^  repeated  the  signal 
that  had  aroused  the  attention  of  Frank  a'few 
minutes  before. 

The  tremulous  note  had  scarcely  pierced  the 
air  when  a  shadowy  form  emerged  from  the 
wood  and  walked  the  short  distance  that  took 
him  to  the  waiting  Ilardman.  The  two  were 
so  far  off  that  it  was  impossible  to  identify 
him  ;  but  the  lad  was  as  certain  it  was  the 
man  who  had  exchanged  tk  3  words  and  signs 
with  Hardman  as  if  the  noonday  sun  were 
shining. 

Frank  Mansley  would  have  given  anything 
he  had  to  be  able  to  steal  near  enough  to  over"! 


m] 


i    .1 


m 


98 


rilK  YOUyu  GOLD  SKKKKHS. 


i 


hear  what  passed  between  them,  l)Ut  tliat  was 
cK'arlv  impossible.  To  move  from  liis  phuM^  l)y 
the  tent  was  certain  to  l)i'ini;'  instant  (U'tection. 
Now  and  then  he  could  catch  the  i'aint  miir- 
mni' of  tlxMi"  voices,  l)Ut  not  once  was  lie  abk^ 
to  distini»uisli  a  svllable  that  was  uttered. 

The  interview  lastcMl  but  a  short  time.  What- 
ever un<UTstanding'  was  I'caclied  between  the 
plotters  must  have  been  sim|)l(\  (Mse  it  would 
not  have  been  etfecte(l  so  soon.  Suddenly  the 
stran<»'er  moved  oil'  ovei'  tb<'  snow  in  the  diiHH'- 
tion  of  the  wooil  and  disappc^u'cd  amoni;' the 
trees.  At  tlie  same  n',om<Mit  Uardman  moved 
silentlv  toward  the  tent.  Frank  was  on  the 
alert,  and  when  the  man  entered  he  was  lying 
on  liis  couch,  his  blanlsct  over  him,  and  his 
cliilled  bodv  a^'ainst  the  warm  foi'm  of  liis 
comrade,  who  recoiknl  slig-htly  with  a  shiver, 
though  he  did  not  awake. 

The  fear  of  Frank  Manslev  had  been  that 
the  two  men  were  ])lotting  some  scheme^  for  the 
robberv  of  Jelf,  tlioui'-h  it  would  seem  that  thev 
would  prefer  to  wait  until  he  had  made  a  strike 
in  the  gold  district.  AVhat  the  youth  had  seen 
convinced  him  that  the  latter  plan  woukl  be 
followed,   oi'  at   least  attem[)ted,   and  he  had 


Tm:  PLOTTERS. 


99 


hardly  ve^v\m\  tlint    inclusion  when  ho  fell 

fisl  00] ). 

•'  Vo.i'iv  ;,  pretty  IV  How  to  stand  oiiard,"  he 
'VMiarked  to  liis  eonsin  tho  nrxt  inorninn-,  after 
tluM.ien  had  oonc  to  the  u-ood  auain. 

''  I  didn't  try  to  stand   -nanl,"  n  plied   Kos- 

^^'''"    ^^'>'^'>   ••'    1^'"^'';   'M    w.-.s    Ivin^^  <lou'n   all 
the  time." 

"  Why  didn't  you  keep  awake  f' 

"  I»«vause   I    IVIl  asleep    and  yon  would  have 

dono  the  sajne  if  you  hadn't  k<^pt  awake." 
'•  IVohahly   I  should--;..ost   pcoph^  ,lo  ;  hut 

what  (h)  you  thiidc  of  it,  Uoswell  >" 
"  First  tell  me  somi^tliinn-  to  ihink  of.'' 
His  eousin  told  all  that  he  had  seen  the  ni-ht 

before.  ^ 

"There  can't  he  any  doul.t  that  riardn.an 
and  one,  if  not  all  three  of  those  fellows,  are 
Plottino.  ,nischi(^f.  It  mio-ht  have  been  one  of 
the  others  who  signalled  to  and  met  him.  I 
thmk  we  ought  to  tell  Jelf. " 

"We'll  do  so  before  night.  It  isn't  likely 
Hardman  suspects  anything,  and  you  will  have 
no  trouble  in  finding  the  chance. " 

''  You  think  it  best  that  I  should  tell  Jeff  ?" 
''  P>y  all  means,  since  you  will  tell  what  vou 


( 


! 


100 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I    t* 


■  ■  i 


1 « 


saw.  Such  things  are  best  first-hand  ;  but 
neither  of  us  vnil  say  anything  to  Tim." 

^' Why  not?" 

^'  Jeif  is  the  leader  of  this  expedition.  Tim 
is  so  soft-hearted  that  likelv  eiiou<2:h  lie  would 
try  to  convince  Ilardnian  of  his  wrongdoing, 
and  so  put  liim  on  his  guard.  Let  Jeff  tell  him 
if  ho  chooses." 

*'  T  hope  he  will  drive  Ilarchiian  out  of  our 
party  ;  my  impression  of  him  is  tliat  ho  would 
not  only  rob  ])ut  kill  for  tlie  sake?  of  gold." 

Roswell  looked  grave.  The  same  thought 
had  been  in  his  mind,  but  he  disliked  to  give 
expression  to  it.  He  hoped  his  cousin  was 
wrong,  but  could  not  feel  certain  that  he  was. 

'^  Frank,  make  an  excuse  for  calling  Jeff 
here  ;  he  ought  to  know  of  this  at  once." 

Lookino^  toward  the  timber,  tliev  saw  that 
their  friend  had  just  given  up  liis  axe  to  Hard- 
man,  who  was  swinging  it  a  short  distance 
from  where  Tim  ^IcCabe  was  lustilv  doino^  the 
same.  Frank  called  to  him,  and  when  the  old 
miner  looked  around,  he  beckoned  for  him  to 
approach.  Jeff  slouched  forward,  wondering 
whv  the  bovs  had  summoned  him  from  his 
work.      He   was  quickly   told.      He  listened, 


THE  PLOTTERS. 


101 


silent,  Init  (|(.c>j)ly  interested,  until  the  story 
was  iinislied.  Tlien,  ^vithout  any  excitement 
he  said,  -  DoM'i  let  Tim  know  unytliln^r  of  this,' 
younkers:"  and,  witli  a  stnni-e  ,o-lea].i  in  his 
keen  gray  eyes,  the  old  man  adcU'd,  ^'  Vx,^  got  a 
AYinchestcr  and  a  revohvi',  and  T  kec^p  'em  both 
loaded,  and  T'v(^  plenty  of  ammunition.  I 
think  I'll  have  use  for  'em  pm-ty  soon." 


i;i  ii 


l<H« 


'■!■! 


CHAPTEK    TX. 


ON     LAKE     BENNET. 


t  , 
!  ! 


The  men  wrought  steadily  in  felling  trees, 
and  by  the  close  of  the  second  dav  had  enouf^h 
timber  for  their  raft.  Tt  would  have  been 
much  preferable  could  they  have  constructed  a 
good,  stout  boat ;  but  it  was  not  feasible,  though 
Jelf  and  Tim  would  have  built  it  had  they  pos- 
sessed the  necessary  planking  and  boards. 
They  had  provided  themselves  with  oidcinn, 
pitch,  and  other  material  ;  but  the  labor  of  sa^v- 
ino:  out  the  rii^ht  kind  of  stuff  would  have 
taken  Aveeks.  The  Irishman  had  learned  from 
his  late  experience  ;  as  a  result  of  wliich  a 
double-decker,  as  it  may  be  termed,  was 
planned.  This  consisted  first  of  a  sul)stantial 
framework  of  buoyant  pine  logs,  securely  nailed 
together,  while  upon  that  was  I'eai'ed  another 
some  two  feet  in  height.  This  upper  frame- 
work v»^as  intended  to  bear  tlieir  outfits,  over 
which  were  fastened  rubber  clotlis.  The  Alas- 
kan lakes  are  often  swe[)t  by  ttn'iific  tempests, 
102 


ON  LAKE  BENNET.  1^3 

the  waves  soinethiies  (lashing  entirely  over  the 
rafts  and  boats,  and  wetting  everything  that  is 
not  well  protected.  The  upper  deck  serves  also 
partially  to  protect  the  men. 

The  boys  spent  a  portion  of  the  days  in  fish- 
ing.    There  was  a  notable  moderation  in  the 
yeather,   the  sno^^'   and    ice   i-apidlv   melting. 
^Sitting  or  standing  on  the  l)ank,  thev  cast  out 
their  lines,  baited  with  bits  of  meat,  and  met 
with  pleasing  success.     Pkunp,  luscious  white- 
fi^h,  grayling,  and  lake  trout   were  landed  in 
such  numbers  that  little  or  no  other  solid  food 
was  eaten  during  their  halt  at  the  head  of  Lake 
Bennet. 

Woi'k  was  pushed  so  vigorously  that  on  the 
third  day  the  goods  were  carefullv  piled  on  the 
upper  deck,  secured   in  place,  and   with  their 
long  pole3  they  pushed  out  from  the  shore  on 
the  voyage  of  twenty-eight  miles  to  the  foot  of 
the  sheet  of  water.     They  wer,.  provided  with 
a  sturdy  nuist  reared  near  the  middle  of  the 
craft,  but  they  did  not  erect  a  sail,  for  the  rea- 
son that  the  strong  wind  which  wa,s  blowino- 
was  almost  directly  from  the  north,  and  would 
have  cliecked  their  progress. 

The   unwieldy  structure    was   puslunl   alon.v 


I 


104 


TlIK   YOVMi  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i\ 


the  eastern  side,  wlKjre  tlie  poles  were  service- 
able at  all  times.  Each  took  his  turn  at  the 
work,  the  boys  with  the  others,  and  the  prog- 
ress, if  slow,  was  sure. 

The  first  twelve  miles  of  Lake  Bennet  are 
quite  shallow,  witli  a  widtli  barely  exceeding  a 
half  mile.  Fifteen  miles  down  occurs  the  junc- 
tion with  the  southwest  aiin,  and  tlie  point  had 
hardly  come  into  siglit  when  Tim  said: 

'^  Now  look  out  for  tr<>ul)le,  for  here's  where 
we'll  catch  it  sure. ' ' 

All  understood  what  he  meant,  for  a  wind 
was  blowing  down  the  arm  witli  such  fierce- 
ness that  it  looked  as  if  everything  would  be 
s^vept  off  the  raft.  The  p;'ospect  was  so  threat- 
ening that  they  ran  inshore  while  yet  at  a  safe 
distance,  and  waited  for  the  gale  to  subside. 

"Is  it  likely  to  last  long  C  asked  Roswell, 
when  they  had  secured  shelter. 

"  That  depinds  how  t'ai'  off  the  end  of  the 
same  may  be,"  Avas  the  unsatisfactory  reply. 
"I've  knowed  men  to  be  held  here  for  davs, 
but  I  have  hopes  that  we  may  get  off  in  the 
coorse  of  two  or  three  weeks." 

The  boys  as  well  as  Jeff  could  not  believe 
that  Tim  was  in  earnest,  foi*  his  lightest  words 


ON   lakh:   BhJXMJT. 


105 


were  often  s],.,k..n  ^vith  the-  gmvost  expression 
of  face;  but  tiicir  Inrmer  expoi'ience  tuught 
them  to  be  prepare  1  for  almost  any  whinrin 
the  weather.  They  recalled  those  dismal  days 
and  nights  earlier  on  their  journev,  Nvhen  they 
were  storm-stayed,  and  tliey  werj  depressed  a\ 
the  thought  that  something  of  the  nature  nii.-ht 
again  overtake  them.  When  the  boys  proposed 
to  put  up  the  tent,  the  Irishman  said  : 

'^  It  is  early  in  the  day  ;  bide  awhile  before 
going  to  that  trouble. " 

This  remark  convinced  them  that  he  was 
more  hopeful  of  a  release  than  would  be  im- 
plied from  his  words  ;  so  they  wvapped  their 
heavy  coats  closer  and  hoped  for  the  best.  The 
men  lit  their  pipes,  while  the  boys  huddled 
close  together  and  had  little  to  say.  Unexpect- 
edly there  came  such  a  lull  in  the  gale  early  in 
the  afternoon  that  the  voyage,  to  the  delight 
of  all,  Avas  resumed. 

Ike  Ilardman  was  in  more  genial  spirits  than 
at  any  time  since  he  joined  th(^  company.  Tie 
showed  an  eagerness  to  help,  declining  to  yield 
the  pole  when  Jeff  offered  to  relieve"liim,\nid 
ventured  now  and  tlien  upon  some  jest 'with 
Roswell  and  Frank.     Their  distrust,  however 


li'  'I 


i'Tx   '< 


m 


w 


411 

ii 


l(i6 


77//;  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERH. 


Avas  not  lesseiietl,  and  thev  were  too  honest  to 
affect  a  liking  that  it  was  impossible  to  feel. 
They  had  little  to  say  to  him,  and  noticing  the 
fact,  he  finally  let  them  alone.  Whatever  mis- 
giving Jeff  may  have  felt  was  skilfully  con- 
cealed, and  tlie  fellow  could  liavtj  felt  no  sus- 
{)icion  tluit  his  secret  was  sus[)ected  by  any 
member  of  the  company. 

The  wind  blew  so  stronu'lv  tliat  there  was 
some  misgiving  ;  l)ut  observing  that  it  came 
from  the  right  quai'ter,  the  sail  was  hoisted, 
and  as  the  canvas  bellied  oulwai'd,  the  raft 
caught  the  impulse  and  began  moving  through 
the  water  at  a  I'ate  that  sent  tlie  rip])les  flying 
over  the  squa,re  ends  of  tln^  logs  at  the  fi'cmt. 
All  sat  down  on  the  u])per  fianiewoi'k,  with  the 
exception  of  Jeff,  who  stood,  pole  in  hand,  at 
the  bow,  ready  to  guide  the  structui-e  should  it 
sheer  in  the  wrono;  direction. 

The  conforinaticjn  of  the  shoi'e  and  a  slight 
change  of  wind  carried  the  raft  faither  out  on 
the  lake.  Of)sei*ving  that  it  was  getting  slight- 
ly askew,  Jeff  pushed  the  long  'pole  downward 
until  his  hand  almost  touched  the  surface  of 
the  water,  While  holding  it  there  the  other 
end  bobbed  up,  having  failed  to  toucli  ground. 


J 


OJV'  LAKE  BENNET. 


107 


a 


No  uso,"  he  said,  facin*^^  his  friends,  wij  » 
were  watching  him,  "  the  bottom  may  be  half 
a  mile  below." 

"  That  looks  as  if  we're  over  our  hids,"  said 
Tim;  ''by  which  token,  if  this  steamer  blows 
up  we've  got  to  swim  for  our  lives,  and  I  iionM- 
larned  to  swim  a  stroke." 

The  boys  looked  :it  him  wonderin«j-lv. 
''  IIow  is  it  you  did  not  leai'n  V"  asked  Ros- 
well. 

'^  I've  tried  hundreds  of  times.  I  kept  in  the 
water  till  me  toes  begun  to  have  webs  between 
'em,  but  at  the  first  stroke  me  hid  went  down 
and  me  heels  up.  \  can  swim  in  that  stjde," 
he  added  gravelv,  ''but  find  the  same  slio-htlv 
inconvanient  owino'to  the  necissitvof  braithino- 
now  and  thin.  I  tried  fur  a  long  time  to 
braithe  through  me  toes,  l)ut  nivei-  made  much 
of  a  succiss  of  it." 

"And  I  learned  to  swim  in  one  day,"  re- 
marked Frank  ;  ''  strange  that  you  should  have 
so  much  trouble." 

"  Undoubtedly  that's  because  yev  hid  is  so 
light,  while  me  own  brains  weigh  me  down  ; 
it's  aisy  to  understand  that." 

"  If  wo  should  liav(*  any  mishap,  Tim,"  said 


Ir 


If! 


^!  '■! 


M 

|: 

1 

>    ' 


I!:,! 


1(>« 


THIC  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEK E US. 


Frank,  "  yrm  must  remember  to  hold  fast  to  a 
piece  of  wood  to  help  you  float — a  small  bit  is 
enough.'' 

^*  I  have  a  bitter  ])lan  than  that." 

"  What  is  it  ?" 

'^  Xiver  havL'  aiiythino-  to  do  wid  the  water." 

*'  That  would  be  cei'taiu  saJctv  if  you  could 
carry  it  out  ;  but  you  cau't  liclp  it  all  times — 
such,  for  instance,  as  the  pi'es(?nt. " 

"  And  I'm  thinking  we  shall  have  plinty  of 
the  same  before  we  raicli  Dawson." 

'*  After  we  get  to  tlie  foot  of  tliis  lake,  what 
comes  next,  Tim  ?" 

'^Caribou  Crossin*;-,  which  we  pass  through 
to  Lake  Tagish,  which  isn't  quite  as  big  as  is 
this  one.  I'm  thinking,"  he  added  thought- 
fully, watching  the  rising  anger  of  the  waves? 
''  that  bime-bv,  whin  we  come  near  land,  we'll 
be  going  that  fast  that  well  skim  over  the  snow 
hke  a  sled  to  the  nixt  lake.'' 

Roswell  pointed  to  tne  shore  on  their  right, 
indicating  a  stake  which  rose  upright  from  the 
ground  and  stood  close  to  the  water. 

**  "What  is  the  meaning  of  that  T'  he  asked. 

'*That,"  replied  Tim,  ''marks  the  grave  of 
some  poor  chap  that  died  on  his  way  to  the 


ox  LAKE  liKxyprr. 


109 


Klondike.     Do  ye  obsarve  that  cairn  of  stont.'s  a 
l)it  bevont  f 
Each  saAv  it. 

"That  marks  anither  «^Tave  ;  and  ye  may 
call  to  niind  that  we  obsarved  more  of  the  same 
along  Lake  Lindeman." 

Such  was  the  fact,  though  this  was  the  first 
reference  to  them. 

"And  we  shall  hardly  be  out  of  sight  (^f  some 
of  the  same  all  the  way  to  the  Klondike  ;  and 
I'm  thinking,"  was  his  truthful  remark,  ''  thnt 
hundreds  more  will  lay  th(3ir  bones  down  in  these 
parts  and  niver  see  their  loved  ones  agaiji. " 

It  \ras  a  sad  thought.  In  a.  few  years  im- 
proved  routes,  railway-tracks,  and  houses  for 
food  and  lodging  will  rob  the  Klondike  region 
of  its  terrors,  but  until  then  death  luust  exa^jt  a 
heavy  toll  from  the  gold-seekers  crowding  north- 
ward, Avithout  regard  to  season  or  the  simplest 
laws  of  prudence. 

Roswell  was  standing  on  the  upper  deck, 
near  a  corner,  when  he  exclaimed  excitedly: 

"  Oh,  look  there  !     Isn't  it  dreadful  ?" 

He  was  pointing  out  on  the  lake,  and,  follow- 
in^^  the  direction  of  his  hand,  all  saw  the  an- 
swer to  his  question. 


W  ■ms} 


1  . 


r 

I' 


ii 


:i 


CHAPTER  X. 


INTO    IJKITISII     I'i'.liRIToHV 


All  hurried  to  tlio  sido  of  Uoswell,  who  was 
pointing' to  a  ])Uic('  aslioj't  <list;uu'o  fi'oni  the  raft. 

It  was  tho  l)0(ly  of  ;i  iiinii  tliat  they  saw, 
floating  face  upward,  I  lis  clotliiiig  was  good, 
and  the  white  features,  pai'tly  liidden  l)y  a  black 
beard,  must  have  been  ]>le;ising  in  hfe.  The 
feet  and  liands,  danghng  at  the  sides,  were  so 
low  in  the  water  that  oidy  when  stirred  by  tlie 
waves  did  they  show,  but  the  face  rose  and  fc^ll, 
sometimes  above,  and  never  more  tlian  a  fcnv 
inches  below,  so  that  it  was  in  \ic\v  all  the 
time. 

The  group  silently  vieweil  tlie  scene.  The 
body  drifted  nearer  and  nearer  and  faintly 
touched  the  edge  of  the  raft,  as  the  wind  car- 
ried it  past.  Then  it  continued  dipping,  and 
gradually  floated  away  in  the  gathering-  gloom. 

'^  We  ought  to  give  it  burial,"  said  Frank  to 

Jeff,  who  shook  his  head. 
110 


ISTO  imiTJSli  TEni:iT(HiY, 


111 


''  What/s  till'  us,.  /  Wr  i„i.l,t  ton-  it  ashore, 
<1'^-  nj)  a  foot  or  tho  iVoz.m  (..rtli.  and  s(.t  a 
mxHlcn   CM-OSS   or  ],ea|>  of  stonrs  to  ni.rk   the 

gmve,  hutthr  h,k.  isaso,KHlaImnal-,,huvas 
it  could  li;iv<'/' 

"I  wonder  u-ho  ho  could  have  he.Mi,-  said 
Kosu-ell  thoun.l,truny.  -  So.ne  n.an,  no  doubt, 
who  ],as  eonie  from  Jiis  home  in  tlx^  States, 
thousands  o('niiI,s.-,w,,y,  and  st.-,rt<Ml  to  search 
for-oM.  lie  nn,y  have  l-ft  wife  and  chihh-en 
behind,  who  u-ill  look  lono.inn.]y  for  his  coming, 
but  will  never  see  Jiis  face  again/' 

"The  world  is  full  of  such  sad  things,"  ol,. 
served  Tim  McCahe,  im,,resse<l,  like  all,  with 
the  inekmcholy  incident,  and  then  he  expressed 
the  thono-ht  that  was  in  ihv  mind  of  each: 
''  There  be  Jive  of  us  :   will  we  all  see  home 


Jigam  r 


There  was  no  reply.  Ilardnian  had  not 
spoken,  and,  as  if  the  occasion  was  too  oppres- 
sive, he  sauntered  to  another  j^art  of  the  raft, 
while  the  rest  gradually  separated,  each  grave 
and  saddened  by  what  he  had  witnessed.  ^ 

It  is  w^ell  for  us  to  turn  aside  from  the  hurly- 
burly  of  life  and  reflect  upon  the  solemn  fact  of 
the  inevitable  end  that  awaits  us  aU. 


*1 

H 
ft 


m\ 


112 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


•li 

ii 


jMi 


( 


I! 


1' 


P)iit  tln'  \{>\vf  jiftiM'iioon  was  (li'jiwiiiir  to  a 
rloso,  iind  tlici  (jucstioii  to  Ix^  considonHl  was 
\vlK'th(M'  tlic  rnl'l,  should  l)o  allowed  to  drift  or 
laud,  or  tln'V  should  coutiuun  forward,  despite 
a,  ('(M'taiu  d('t»r('(^  of  daui''<,M'  duriui*'  the  darkness. 
All  wore  cai^cM"  to  ini[)rove  the  timc^,  jind  Jeff, 
as  th(^  lu^ad  of  the  expmlitiou,  sjiid  tliey  would 
kee[)  at  it  at  least  for  a.  while  loug'er. 

'^  As  far  as  T  cau  tell,"  lu^  said,  ''  there's  no 
danti-er  of  runuiu*''  into  anything  that'll  wreck 
us,  and  we  luust  use  our  sail  while  we  can. 
Besides,"  he  added,  after  testing  it,  "the 
water  is  so  deep  that  we  can't  reach  bottom, 
and  there  isn't  nmch  cliance  to  help  ourselves." 

The  windwhicli  swept  over  the  raft  had  risen 
almost  to  a  gale,  and  hi'ought  with  it  a  few 
scuri'ving  flakes  of  snow.  There  was  a  j^ei'- 
ceptible  fall  in  the  temperature,  and  the  chilly, 
penetrating  air  caused  all  to  shiver,  despite  theii* 
thick  clothing. 

Finally  night  closed  in,  and  the  raft  was  still 
drifting,  the  wind  carrying  it  four  or  five  miles 
an  hour.  The  night  was  so  short  that  the  hope 
was  general  that  the  straightforward  progress 
would  continue  until  sunrise,  though  Tim,  who 
was  better   acquainted   Arith    the   region,    ex- 


INTO   /WITfsif  TEUltlTORY. 


113 


pressed  tin;  l)"li(>f  that  ii  storm  of  several  days' 
duration  liad  set  in. 

Since  tliere  was  nothin<^-  to  do,  the  men  and 
hoys  disposed  of  th(,'mselves  as  comrortal)lv  as 
possii)le  on  the  Vn^  sich'  of  the  raft,  beyond 
I'oach  of  the  waves,  tliounli  the  spray  now  and 
then  ihished  against  their  riiljbei'  hlardcets  which 
oacli  liad  wrapped  about  his  shoulders  and 
body.  After  a  ti)ne  Jell'  tooiv  liis  station  at  the 
bow,  though  ail  almost  imj)erceptible  change  of 
wind  caused  the  structure  to  drift  j)artly  side- 
ways. 

Roswell  and  Fi-ank,  wlio  were  seated  back  to 
l)ack  and  in  an  easy  jittitudc^  had  sunk  into  a 
doze,  when  both  wiM-e  stai'tled  by  a  bump 
which  swung  them  paitly  over.  They  straight- 
ened  up  and  looked  around  in  the  gloom,  won- 
dering what  it  meant. 

''  AVe've  sti'uck  shore,''  called  Jeff,  who  was 
the  only  one  on  watch.  -  The  voyage  is  over 
for  the  time." 

There  was  hurrying  to  and  fro,  as  all  per- 
ceived that  he  had  spoken  the  truth.  The  cor- 
ner of  the  raft  had  impinged  ugainst  some  ice 
that  was  piled  on  the  I)each.  The  gloom  was 
too  deep  for  any  one  to  see  moi-e  than  a  few 


i  I 

Hi 

\ 


)     ! 


114 


THE  YOUXG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


¥ 


rods,  so  tliat  Tim,  who  had  traversed  the  sheet 
of  wjitui'  hcl'or(3,  was  unable  to  guess  where 
tlicv  wei'c. 

"  Pj'ovidod  we've  come  over  a  straight 
cooise,"  said  the  Irisiiimm,  '"we  can't  be  far 
fi'oni  the  fut  ol"  the  hike.'' 

'*  We'll  know  in  the  morning,  which  can't 
l»e  far  otT,"  I'ephed  Jelf  ;  ''  we'll  make  our- 
.selves  as  comfortable  as  we  can  until  then." 

Despite  the  wind,  tlioy  managed  to  light 
several  matches  ami  examine  their  watches. 
To  their  sui'[)rise,  the  niglit  was  nearly  gone, 
and  it  was  decided  not  to  attempt  to  put  Uj) 
their  tent  until  diivli^'lit.  Accordingly,  thev 
huddled  together  aiul  spent  the  remaining  houj* 
of  gloom  in  anything  Init  comfort. 

At  the  earliest  streakings  of  light  all  were 
astir.  Springing  from  the  ground,  Tim  McCabe 
liurriedly  walked  a  short  way  to  the  north- 
ward. The  others  had  risen  to  their  feet  and 
were  watching  him.  As  the  gray  liglit  rapidly 
overspread  the  scene,  they  saw  the  lake,  still 
tossing  with  whitecaps,  stretching  to  the  south 
and  west,  witli  the  shore  fcuntly  visible.  On 
the  east,  noitli.  sonth,  and  west  towered  the 
snow-capped  mountains,  with  ^NTount  Lotne  and 


IXTO   niUTISJI  TERRITORY. 


115 


Other  peaks  piercing  tlie  xavy  duuds.  The  sun 
was  still  hidden,  with  tlie  air  damp,  cold,  and 
penetratino', 

Tim  :\[(<,^abe  was  seen  to  stand  motionless 
for  some  minutes,  when  he  slowly  turned  about 
on  his  heels  and  attentively  studied  the  land- 
marks. Then  ho  suddenly  Ihm-  liis  cap  high 
in  air,  and,  catching  it  as  it  came  down,  begin 
dancing  a  jig  with  mrious  vigor,  lie  acted  as 
if  he  had  bidden  good-l)y  i(^  iiis  senses. 

"AVhoopI  hurrah  !"  he   shouted,  as   he  re- 
placed  his   cap    and    hui-ried    to    his   friends. 
"  AVe're  at  the  fut  ol"  the  lake  !" 
^  Such   was  the   fact.     A  steamer  guided  by 
pilot  and  c(^m[)ass  could  not  have  come  more 
directly   to   the   termination   of   the    sheet   of 
water.     Tim  had  causc^   for   rejoicing,  and  all 
congratulated  themselves  upon  tlieir  good  for- 
tune. 

"There's  only  one  bad  thing  about  the 
sajne,"  he  added  niore  seriously. 

"AVhat'sthatr^  asked  Jell'. 

"  ^\'e'l•e  no  longet'  in  the  Ignited  States." 

"That's  the  fact,"  said  llardman,  'Mve're 
in  British  Columbia." 

After  all,    this   was  a   small   matter.     Inas- 


N 


■  i 


■ 


I  i 


Mi 


!    ! 


•i 


'I  . 

{ • 


ii6 


77//-;  )or.vr;  (;(>Li)  s}':kkf:i:s. 


much  as  tlio  signs  iiulic.ited  a  severe  storm,  it 
was  decided  to  stay  where  they  were  until  its 
chief  fury  was  spent.  The  snow  was  shovelled 
aside  to  allow  them  to  reach  tlie  frozen  earth, 
into  which  the  stakes  were  securely  driven, 
and  the  tent  set  up,  witli  the  stove  in  position. 

Beyond  Chilkoot  Pass  plenty  of  timber  is 
to  be  found,  consisting  of  pine,  spruce,  Cot- 
tonwood, and  birch.  Thus  far  not  the  first 
sign  of  game  had  been  seen.  The  whole  coun- 
try, after  leaving  Dyea,  is  uKnintainous. 

Most  of  the  goods  wei'e  left  on  the  raft, 
where  they  were  })rotected  by  the  ru])l)er  sheath- 
ing and  the  secure  manner  in  which  they  were 
packed  and  bound. 

Three  dreary  days  of  waiting  followed,  and  the 
hours  became  so  monotonous  at  times,  especially 
after  the  hard,  active  toil  that  lu-d  preceded 
them,  that  in  some  respects  it  was  tiie  most  try- 
ing period  of  the  memorable  journey  of  our 
friends  from  Dyea  to  Dawson  Ci  y.  The  men 
found  consolation  in  their  i)ipes,  which  fre- 
quently made  the  aii'  \vithin  the  tent  intolerable 
to  the  youngsters.  Like  most  smokers,  how- 
ever, the  men  never  siis[)ected  the  annoyance 
thev  caused,  and  tlie  i)ovs  wove  too  considerate 


/.\7'o    n/UTLm  7'E!UUTi)in\ 


11 


to    hint    .•uiytliino.   of   the   kiml.     When    theii- 
youjio-  hnii)s  yearned  foi-  exercise,  they  bolted 
out  of  dooi-s,  in  the  face  of  the  di-ivin-  sleet  and 
fine  snow   which  cut   the  face  like  bird-shot. 
Locking-  umis,  they   wrestled   and   rolled   'muX 
tumbled   in    the   snow,    washed    eacii    othei-'s 
faces,  flung  the  snow  about -for  it  was  too  di-y 
to  admit   of  being    wrought    into   balls— ami 
when  tired  out,  they  came  back  panting  and 
with  red  cheeks,  showing  that  their  lungs  had 
been  filled  with  the  life-giving  ozone. 

It  was  necessary  now  and  then  to  cut  fuel 
from  the  adjacent  wood,  and  this  was  done  by 
Tim  and  Jeff.  The  boys  asked  to  be  allowed 
to  try  their  hand,  but  they  were  too  unskilful 
in  wielding  an  axe,  and  their  request  was  de- 
nied. Now  and  then  the  howling  gfde  drove 
the  smoke  back  into  the  tent,  where  it  was 
almost  as  bad  as  the  odor  from  the  pipes. 

The  four  slept  at  intervals  througJi  the  day 
and  most  of  the  long  night  ;  but  no\v  and  then 
the  men  laid  aside  their  pipes,  the  stove 
''  dre\v,"  and  the  atmosphere  within  was  agree- 
able. The  only  books  in  the  company  were  the 
two  pocket  Bibles  furnished  by  the  mothers  of 
Roswell   and  Fraidi.     Xeither  boy  forgot  his 


118 


THE  rorXG  GOLD  SKKKEliS. 


f> 


'  ■    ! 


promise  to  read  the  volume  wiienevci'  suitabh' 
opportmiity  presented.  Seeing*  Frank  lUH-linin^^ 
on  his  blanket,  with  his  httle  Bihlf  in  liand, 
Jeff  asked  him  to  read  it  aloud,  and  tlie  1);)V 
gladly  complied.  It  was  a  striking'  siglit,  rs 
the  men  inclined  tlieir  heads  and  reverei  tly 
hstened  to  the  inn^iessive  woi'ds  tVom  tiie  /ook 
of  Life.  There  was  no  jesting  or  badinage,  for 
that  chord  whicli  tlie  Creator  luis  placed  in 
every  human  h'^:u't  was  touched,  and  responded 
with  sweet  music.  Many  an  liour  was  thus 
passed — let  us  hope  with  profit  to  every  one  of 
the  little  party. 

Finally  the  longed-for  lull  in  the  storm  came, 
and  the  voyage  was  renewed.  The  tri])  thri)ugh 
Caribou  Crossing  was  made  without  misliap, 
the  distance  bein^-  about  four  miles,  wlion  tlun' 
entered  Marsh  Lake,  often  kn(3wnas  ^[ud  Lakts 
thougli  no  a,ppa)'ent  cause  (exists  for  tlio  title. 
X(^  dilficultv  was  ex])e]'ienced  in  malcini'-  their 
wav  for  the  twentv-f*>ur  i.iiles  of  its  loni> th,  at  tlie 
end  of  which  thev  debcuched  into  Lvnx  Itiver, 
where  twenty-seven  more  miles  were  [)assed 
without  incident  or  trouble  worth  recordino-. 


i  1 1 


CHAPTEE   XI. 


i:     P 


1      .' 


AT    WHITE    HORSP]    RAPIDS. 

*'  We're  doing  well,"  observed  Tim  McCabe, 
when  the  raft  with  its  load  and  party  of  gold- 
st'ekers  reached  the  end  of  Lynx  lliver,  ''  but 
be  the  same  token,  we're  drawing  nigh  the 
worst  part  of  the  voyage,  and  we'll  be  lucky  if 
we  git  through  the  same  Avitliout  mishap." 

"  What  have  we  aiiead  r'  asked  Jetf. 

''  Miles  Canon  ;  it's  a  little  more  than  half 
a  mile  long,  and  if  this  raft  isn't  as  strong  as  it 
should  be  it'll  be  torn  to  pieces." 

Fortunately  Jeff  had  given  attention  from 
the  first  to  tlio  stability  of  the  structui-i?,  upon 
which  everything  depended,  lie  was  continu- 
ally examinin-  it  from  stem  to  stei'n,  and 
where  there  was  a  sus])icion  of  tlio  nocc^ssitv, 
he  drov^e  nails  and  strengthened  the  ci'ai't  in 
every  way  possible. 

The  sail  was  used  whenever  possible  ;  but 
since  they  were  really  among  the  network  of 

119 


■  r 


I      jl 


:ili 


120 


THE  Y()UN(;  GOLU  SKEKERS. 


)     ' 


ill: 


lakes  wliich  foi-m  the  lieadwaters  of  tlie  Viikon, 
the  ciUTent  caiTied  them  ste  ulilv  toward  tlieir 
destination,  and  there  were  lioiirs  when  tliey 
scarcely  lifted  their  hands  except  to  kee])  tlic 
raft  in  [)roper  position  by  nieans  of  the  poles. 
The  weather  grew  steadily  milder,  for  summer 
was  npproaching.  The  snow  and  ic(^  I'iipidly 
melted,  and  now  and  then,  when  the  sun  shone, 
the  thick  clothing  felt  uncomfortaljle  dui'ing 
the  middle  of  the  day.  Our  I'riends  were  in 
advance  of  the  gn^it  multitude  that  were  ])ush- 
ing  toward  the  Klondike  from  t\\(t  south,  from 
Canada  and  to  8t.  Michael's,  whenc(>  they 
would  start  on  the  two-thousand-mile  chnd)  ol' 
the  Yukon,  as  soon  as  it  shook  (>(f  its  icy 
bonds. 

It  was  impossible  that  the  ])a,)'ty  should  not 
view  with  solicitude  their  entrance  into  Miles 
Canon,  though  Tim  assured  his  friends  tliat 
much  more  dangerous  ra[)ids  would  remain  to 
be  passed.  The  canon  is  live-eighths  ol'  a  mile 
long,  with  an  angry  ami  swift  current.  A\- 
though  the  I'aft  was  tossed  aljoub  like  a  cockle- 
shell, it  went  through  without  injury,  and  none 
of  the  goods  were  displaced  or  harmed. 

Following  this  came    the   severest  kind    of 


I 


I  I 


i 


LOOK  OUT!  THKRK'S  A  ROCK  AHKAU  " 


ff' 


>     ' 


,   I 


/ 


.1/'    WIIITh:   llonsiC  liAPFDS. 


121 


J 


woi'k.     For  tlin'c  miles  it  simmiuhI  as  if  the  river 
could  be  no  woi'sl',  and  the  raft  must  be  wrenched 
asundei".      The  eui'rent  was  not  onlv  vei'v  swift, 
l)ut  the  ehannel    was  iilled   with   I'oeks.     Kacli 
man  ^-rasped  one  of  the  strong  poles  with  which 
tlie   craft     was    providetl,    and    wi'ouu'ht    with 
mio-ht  and  main  to  steer  clear  of  the  treaciierous 
masses  of  stone   which   thrust   uj)   their  heads 
(^verywliei-e.     There    W(M'e    nianv    narrow    es- 
capes,  and   despite  the  utmost  they  could  do, 
the  raft  struek  ivj^eatcMJly.      Sometimes  it  was  a 
bump  and  sheer  to  one  side  so  suddenly  that 
the  party  were  almost  kiioekeil   off  their  feet. 
Once,  owino-   to    unintentional    contrary  work 
the  raft  bang-ed  against  the  li(?a(l  of  a  rock  and 
stood  still      AVhih^  the    men   wm-e  desperately 
plying  their  poles  the  current  slewed  the  craft 
around,  and  the  voyage  \vas  resumed. 

"Look  out!''  sliouted  Jeff;  ''there\s  an- 
other I'ock  right  ahead  !" 

lJnfortunat(^ly  it  was  just  l)elow  the  surface, 
and  there  were  so  many  ripples  and  eddies  in 
the  current  that  neithei-  Tim  nor  Ilardman  was 
sure  of  its  exact  location,  but  taking  their  cue 
from  the  leader,  they  pushed  with  all  their 
strength  to  clear  the  obstruction. 


1^ 


122 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  sEEKEIiS. 


\    • 


bl!   f'. 


Tliey  failed,  and  the  flinty  lu.'ad  swept  direct- 
ly uiider  the  lugs  and  gouged  its  cuui'se  for  the 
entire  length  of  the  eral't.  All  felt  the  jar,  and 
those  who  coukl  l(jok  beneath  the  ui)i)er  deck 
s[iw  the  lower  timbers  rise  from  the  impact, 
which  was  so  severe  that  when  the  raft  at  last 
sNvung  \'i\n^  it  was  barely  moving,  l)Ut,  like  a 
wounded  horso,  it  shook  itself  clear,  and  the 
next  moment  was  plunging  forward  as  impetu- 
ously as  ever.  The  fears  of  the  party  were 
intensified  })y  sight  of  wreckage  along  the 
banks,  proving  tluit  more  tlian  one  of  their 
predecessors  had  come  to  grief  in  trying  to 
mi  ike  the  passage. 

AA^liih*  all  were  on  edge  with  the  danger, 
however,  thev  found  themselves  at  the  end  of 
the  perilous  passage  and  floating  in  compara- 
tively smooth  water  again.  Men  and  bo^'^s 
drcnv  sighs  of  r(^lief,  the  former  mopping  their 
pi^rspiring  broAvs  and  looking  their  mutual  con- 
gratulations. 

"  The  fun  is  only  just  begun,''  said  Tim 
McCabe  ;  ''  we  luid  matters  purty  lively  fur  a 
time,  but  they'll  soon  be  a  o'ood  deal  livelier." 

''  Wliat  is  next  due  ?"  asked  Frank. 

''I   belave,"   said   Tim,    "that  some  folks 


« 


AT  WHITE  IIUU6E  UAPins, 


123 


spake  of  death  as  riding  on  a  i)aie  liorse,  don't 
thcv  r" 

"Vcs." 

liiat  must  he  the  raistjn  they  call  tiie  nixt 
plisiire  thraiiip  AVhite  Ilcn'so  C^anon,  or  AVliite 
llni's.'  Rai)i(ls/' 

••  Where  ar.'  liievf 

'•  Hut  a  httle  way  aliid  :  many  men  have 
'"•en  (Irowiu'd  ill  thiyin-  to  sail  through  the 
same  ;  and  1dm  as  doesn't  know  how  to  swim 
iii  a  whii'jjjool  hasn't  onv  Inisiness  to  thrv^ 
it."  '  ^ 

"  What,  then,  do  you  mean  to  do  f 

Ihiy  it,"  was  the  im{)Lrtm'hal)]e  ivsponse. 

^ueh  taik  was  not  calculated  to  cheer  the 
list(>nei's,  hut  knowing  the  Irishman  as  tliev  did 
they  received  his  stateiiKMit  with  less  serious- 
ness than  tliey  shouhl  liave  done,  for  he  had 
hy  no  iiieiins  overrated  the  peril  in  their  front. 
Jed'  made  anotlier  examination  of  the  ral't  while 
In-^  had  the  opi)()rtunity,  ami  strengthened  it  in 
iXi'vy  p,)ssil)le  way.  He  was  pleased  that  it 
stood  the  test  so  well,  tliough  it  had  been  se- 
vei  ely  wrenclied,  and  when  it  cniwled  over  the 
sunken  loek  it  had  nari'owly  missed  being  torn 
asundei'.     The  fastenings  of  the  goods  were  ex- 


i. 


..  i 


m^ 


>    ' 


184 


THE  YOryu  (iOLlt  skkkkhs. 


aiiiined  jiiul  (»vi*i'ytliin<;-  prcpimMl,  so  far  as  it 

could  hv  doiR',  for  tlic  ci'iicial  trial  at  hand. 

Tli(3  party   wcro  scntfMl   in  various  positions 

about  the  raft,  lookin;^'  anxiously  alu^ad,  when 

T'nn  pointed  a  little  way  in  advance,  with  the 

(piestion  : 

"  Do  ye  all  obsarve  that  ?" 

lie  indicated  ii   high   bank  of  sand  on  the 

ri<dit  which  had  been  cut  out  bv  the  erosion  of 
the  violent  current.  Near  by  some  philanthro- 
pist had  put  up  a  sign,  "  Keep  a  Good  Look 
Out." 

"  You  have  larned  what  other  people  think 
of  the  same,"  he  added  ;  "there's  been  more 
than  twinty  men  drowned  in  there." 

"  Because  the '  could  not  swim  ?"  asked 
Frank. 

"  'Cause  the  best  swimmer  in  the  world  can't 
swim  in  there  ;  you  and  mesilf,  boys,  will  soon 
be  on  the  same  futting,  for  the  raison  that  we 
won't  have  any  futtin"'  at  all." 

"  How  long  is  the  canon  i-' 

"  Not  quite  half  a  mile.  Miles  Canon,  that 
we've  just  passed  through,  is  like  a  duck-pond 
alongside  the  rapids  in  front  of  us." 

"  Can  a  boat  go  through  ?" 


AT   WHITF  ITOHSK  RAl^IDS. 


125 


''  The  thino-  Ims  Invn  .lone,  but  only  about 
one  in  llftythat  starts  into  them  rapids  ever 
raiclics  tlu;  outlet,  excipt  in  bits  the  size  of  yer 
hand." 

Franlc  and  Ros\v(^ll  looked  nt  each  otlier  in 
consternation.  Was  it  possibU' tiiat  JelF  would 
allow  th(3  criniinjil  recldessness  Tim  ccjnteni- 
plated  ?  Where;  tin.'  chances  W(H-e  so  over- 
wheliuingly  noainst  success,  it  was  tiirowing 
away  their  lives  to  trust  tlieniselves  to  the  fear- 
fnl  lipids  that  had  already  caused  so  many 
deaths. 

''  If  you  want  to  try,''  said  Roswell,  excit- 
edly,  ^'you  may  do  so,  but  neither  Frank  nor 
I  will.     Put  us  ashore  !" 

Tie  addressed  himself  to  Jeff,  who  was  seat- 
ed  on  the  edge  of  the  upper  deck,  calmly  smok- 
ing  his  pipe.  lie  did  not  look  around  nor  seem 
to  hear  the  appeal. 

"  :N'ever  mind,"  interposed  Frank  ;  "  if  they 
are  willing,  we  are  not  the  ones  to  back  out. 
I  kno\v  of  no  huv  that  prevents  a  man  making 
a  fool  of  himself . " 

"  Very  well,"  replied  his  cousin,  more  com- 
posedly, "lam  ready." 


lilH 


CHAPTER  XII. 


ON     THE     YUKON. 


ill 


Jeff  Graham  looked  inquiringly  at  Tim 
McCabe,  avIio  nodded  his  head  by  way  of  reply. 
At  the  same  time  he  said  something  to  Hard- 
man,  and  all  three  rose  to  their  feet.  Then 
the  poles  Avere  ])]ied  with  an  effect  that  speod- 
ily  drove  the  raft  against  the  bank,  where  Tim 
sprang  ashore  and  secured  it.  Brave  and  reck- 
less as  was  the  fellow,  he  had  no  intention 
of  trying  to  take  tlie  boat  through  the  exceed- 
ingly dangerous  White  Horse  Ilapids,  but  he 
could  not  refuse  the  chance  for  a  little  amuse- 
ment at  the  expense  of  his  young  friends. 

In  trutli,  no  one  should  ever  attempt  to  take 

a   boat   tlirough  White   Horse   lla])ids.     The 

best  course,  pei'haps,  is  to  let  it  drift  down  the 

rapids,  guided  by  a  rope  one  hundred  and  fifty 

feet  in  length.     If  it  passes  through  without 

material  injurv,  tiie  craft  is  still  at  command 

below.     Another  })hin  is  to  portage.      At  this 
126 


I 


I 


oy  THE  ruKox 


127 


"-.•itmg  the,..  a,v  rollcMvays  .„   the  westorn 
side,  over  „-l,ieh  tho  boats  can  l,o  rolled  with 
a  wnuMa.ss  t„  help  |,„11  tl,e,„  to  the  top  of  the> 
l"l'.     fn  l,ni„o.  a  c.aft.  it  ,n„st  be  ,lo„e  on  tlie 
nsht.han.l .ide.  Th.ee miles  fartherdo.-n co,„es 
tlio  1,0.x  r„non.  one  hundred  vunls  in  len-th 
"";'    '"'>■   '■"'''    "■'■-•<'■  "-itli   n  ohute  of  te.dfic 
vcloeuy.      Itepeuted  atten.pts  have  been  n,a,Ie 
!'■;  '■"''^'"■^^  "•""■'«  t"  t^'l«  a  boat  throuoh,  ln,t 
It  IS  much  thesarneas  t.-yino.  to  shoot  the  rapid.. 

Its  title  of  "  The   Afiners'   Grave."     Still,  the 
feat  has  been  performed  in  safety 

Progress  M'as  so  effectually  b;n-ed  at  White 
Horse  that  our  friends  gave  up  their  raft  as  of 
no  further  use.     It  was  certain  to  be  shattered 
and  where  there   was  so  nu,ch  tind.er  it  ,vas 
comparatively   ea.sy    to    build    another,    .-ith 
^vlueh  to  make  the  re.naining  tuo  hun.lred  ami 
twenty  ,niles,  particularly  as  there  «-as  no  need 
of  constructing  a  .louble-decker,  for  the  rouo-h 
voyaguig  was  at  an  end.  ° 

The  goods  were,  therefore,  packed  upon  the 
^  "kon  sleds,  and  tlieu  the  raft  set  adrift.  It 
\vas  never   sopn    'lo-nS-.     +i         i 

''cen   .igam,   though   an   occasional 

stray  log  ,.,fteru-ard  observed   boblmig  iu  the 


I 'I 
I 
N 
»l 


128 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


III! 


1 1 


current  below  the  rapids  may  have  formed  a 
part  of  the  structure  that  had  served  the  travel- 
lers so  well.  There  \vas  enougli  snow  for  the 
sleds,  but  the  work  was  exliausting,  and  was 
not  completed  until  late  in  the  afternoon,  when 
the  tent  was  set  up  and  camp  made. 

By  the  close  of  the  following  day  the  raft 
was  finished.  It  contained  enough  pine  lumber 
to  float  a  much  lieavier  load  than  formed  its 
burden,  but,  as  we  have  stated,  it  lacked  the 
double  deck,  since  the  necessity  for  one  no 
longer  existed. 

The  raft  was  no  more  than  fairly  completed 
when  a  storm  that  had  been  threatening  broke 
upon  the  party.  Since  it  was  expected,  and 
there  was  no  saying  how  long  it  would  last,  the 
tent  was  set  up  and  secured  in  place.  Con- 
siderable fuel  had  been  gathered,  and  every 
preparation  Avas  made  for  a  prolonged  stay, 
though  it  need  not  be  said  that  each  one  hoped 
it  Tvould  prove  otherwise.  In  a  country  where 
for  four-fifths  of  the  davs  the  sun  does  not  show 
itself,  such  weather  must  be  expected,  and,  on 
the  whole,  our  friends  counted  themselves  for- 
tunate tliat  they  had  been  able  to  make  such 
good  progress. 


ON  TBE  TUKOIf. 


139 


The  tent  ,vas  hardly  in  position,  and  aU 
"•itlun,  huddling  around  the  stove,   in  which 
Tun  had  just  started  a  fire,  M-hen  they  «-ere 
startled  by  a  hail  : 
"Halloa,  the  house  !" 

The  four  hurried  outside,  ^vhere  a  strikin<^ 
sight  met  them.  Kight  men,  eacli  with  a  heavy 
pack  strapped  .,ve.'  his  shoulders,  and  bending 
over  with  his  load,  thickly  clad,  but  with  their 
faces,  so  fa.'  as  they  coukl  be  seen  through  the 
wrappings,  ^^•et  and  red,  liad  halted  in  front  of 
the  tent,  which  they  scrutinized  with  wonder. 

"  Are  you  going  to  begin  digging  here  ?" 
called  one  of  the  men,  whose  eves,  nose,  and 
mouth  were  all  that  was  visible  behind  his 
muffler. 

"Not  while  the  storm  lasts."  replied  Tim. 
•'  If  we  had  room,  we'd  ask  ye  to  come  inside 
^md  enj'y  yoursilves  till   the   weather  clears 
At  any  rate,  we'll  be  glad  to  give  ye  some- 
thmg  warm  to  ate  and  drink. " 

"  Oh,  that's  it  !"  exclaimed  another  of  the 
men.    "  You're  afraid  of  the  storm,  are  vou  ?" 

much  afraid,  but  we  ain't  in 
me.     Won't  ye  come  in— that 


lov 


I 


IS,  one  or  two  at  a  time  ?'• 


PT" 


130 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKER8. 


!  )[■ 


"  Thanks  ior  your  invitation,  ])ut  we  haven't 
tlie  time  to  spare.  We're  af eared  they'll  get  all 
the  gold  in  tlie  Klondike  country  if  we  don't 
hurry.  You're  foolish  to  loiter  along  the  road 
like  this." 

''  We're  willing  to  lose  a  bit  of  the  goold  for 
sake  of  the  comfort.  If  ye  are  bound  to  go  on, 
we  wish  ye  t2:ood  luck." 

"The  same  to  'twelves,"  the  plucky  and 
hopeful  miners  caliu.,  as  they  plodded  for- 
ward. 

For  two  dreary  days  tlie  party  was  storm- 
stayed  in  camp. 

"  Here,"  said  Jeff  Graham,  when  making 
ready  to  resume  their  voyage,  "  we  leave  our 
Yukon  sleds. ' ' 

''  Shall  we  not  need  tliem  on  our  return  ?" 
asked  Roswell. 

'^  We  should  if  we  returned  bv  this  route,  but 
I  wouldn't  work  m}^  way  against  these  streams 
and  through  the  passes  again  for  all  the  gold  in 
the  Klondike    oonntrv.     We    shall    take    the 

t. 

steamer  down  tlie  Yukon  to  St.  ^[ichael's,  and 
so  on  to  Seattle. ' ' 

"  That  is  a  long  voyage,"  suggested  Hard- 
man. 


-y 


ON  THE  YUKON. 


131 


''  Yes,  four  thousand  miles  ;  but  it  will 
be  easy  enough  for  us  when  v:q  are  on  a 
steamer. ' ' 

"  The  Yukon  is  closed  for  eight  months  or 
more  each  vear. " 

"  We  don't  intend  to  go  down  it  when  it's 
closed,  foi*  I  didn't  bring  skates  along,  and  T 
don't  know  how  to  skate,  anvwav." 

"  You  do  not  expect  t(^  stay  long  in  the 
Klondike  country  ?"  was  the  imiuiring  remark 
of  liardman,  who  sliowed  little  interest  in  the 
intentions  of  their  leader. 

"  That  depends  ;  we  shall  come  back  in  two 
months,  or  six,  or  a  year,  according  as  to  how 
rich  we  strike  it. " 

"  S'pose  you  don't  strike  it  at  all." 
Jeff  shrugged  his  shoulders. 
''  We'll  make  a  good  try  for  it.  If  we  slip 
up  altogether,  these  folks  I  have  brought  with 
me  won't  be  any  worse  off  than  before  ;  but  I 
don't  intend  to  slip  up— that  ain't  what  I  came 
into  this  part  of  the  world  for. " 

"ISio,  I  reckon  few  people  come  for  that," 
was  the  comment  of  Hardman,  who  seemed  to 
bo  in  a  cheerful  mood  again, 
i^othing  could  have  offered  a  stronger  con- 


3» 


V. 

'I 


!  :  ! 


i 


132 


THE  YOU.YG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


*   1  ! 


<     I 


i             j 

;| 

'  ' 

\l       ■      1 

trast  to  their  previous  rough  experience  thcui 
that  which  now  came  to  tliem.  Fourteen  miles 
doNvn  the  river  brought  them  to  Lake  Labarge, 
where  tiiey  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  sit  down 
and  iloat  with  the  current,  using  the  pok's  oc- 
casionally to  kee})  the  raft  in  the  bes'  position. 
Thirty-one  miles  brought  them  to  Lewis  liiver, 
down  which  they  passed  to  the  Ilootalinqua; 
tlien  to  the  Bis:  Salmon,  and  fortv-tive  miles 
farther  to  the  Little  Salmon,  the  current  run- 
ning five  miles  an  hour,  and  much  swifter  in 
the  narro^\^  canon-Uke  passages.  Then  beyond 
the  Little  Salmon  the  craft  and  its  hopeful  pas- 
sengers floated  smoothly  with  the  current  for  a 
distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles, 
when  the  bovs  were  startled  to  see  four  "fiant 
buttes  of  stone  towering  above  the  \vater,  which 
rushed  violently  among  them. 

"What  place  is  that?''  asked  Frank,  who 
with  his  cousin  surveyed  the  immense  towers 
with  deep  interest. 

"  Five- Finger  Eapids,"  was  the  reply. 

"  Thev  look  dano^erous. " 

"  So  they  be,  unless  ye  happens  to  know 
which  two  to  pass  between  ;  now,  which  would 
ve  selict  as  a  guess  ?" 


(rV   TirE    VFKOX. 


133 


Koswcll  jiiid  Frank  studied  them  awhile,  and 
the  latter  answered: 

''  It  doesn't  seem  to  me  that  it  makes  much 
difference  which  one  vou  take.'' 

''  Ah,  l)iit  it  makes  a  mio-htv  difference. 
We  should  have  big  troTd)le  if  we  neglicted  to 
folly  the  riglit  side  of  tlie  riv(>r." 

Jeff  and  IFardman  were  already  working  tjie 
raft  in  that  direction,  and  Tim  now  g-ive  his 
aid.     It  looked  perilous,  but,  knowing  the  right 
course,  the  craft  made  the  ])assage  without  any 
mishap.     All  settled  down  to  enjoy  the  smooth 
sailing  that  Avas  before  them  once  more.     Tim 
and  Jeff  lit  their  pipes,  Ilardman  sjit   apart, 
while  the  Ijoys  were  together  near  the  front  of 
the  raft.     The  weather  was  clearer  than  it  had 
been  for  S(>veral  days,  and  much  more  mod- 
erate.     A[ay  was  well  advanced,  and  the  short, 
hot  sumuKM'   was  at  liand.     If  all  went  well, 
they    would    reacli    tlie   gold    country   at   the 
right  season,  and   as  they  neared  the  goal  the 
spirits   of  all  ros(\  and   a  longing  to  get  for- 
ward manifested  itself  in  manv  wavs.     Thev 
w^aited  until  night  liad  fairly  come  before  they 
went  ashore  and  encamped,  and  tluw  Avere  off 
again  at  daybrc^ak,  despite  th(^  uncannily  early 


>^4 


n 


I 


U   !■■; 


i/|i?(- 


i:  'i-i 


I  i1t» 


!l 


I 


134 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEKKEliS. 


■  I 


.lit 


Ii| 


I! 


hour  at  which  it  comes   in   that  ]iart  of  the 
woi'ld. 

Six  miles  down  the  Lewis  River  took  them  to 
tlic  Rink  Rapids,  through  whicli  they  passed 
without  diificulty.  Just  heyond  are  the  ruins 
of  Fort  Selkirk,  where  the  Pelly  and  Lewis 
rivers  unite.  Tim  McCal)e  studied  tlie  mouth 
of  the  Pelly,  as  it  poured  into  the  Lewis,  and 
soon  as  the  point  was  fairly  ])assed,  lie  turned 
to  his  friends,  his  round  face  aglow. 

''  I  offer  me  congratulations,"  he  said,  doff- 
ing his  cap  and  bo^\'ing  low. 

"  On  what  V  asked  Frank  Mansley. 

"  The  stream  over  which  ve  are  now  floatinp- 
takes  the  name  of  the  Yukon,  and  doesn't  give 
up  the  same  till  it  tumbles  into  the  Pacific 
siveral  m\V  ^  to  the  west  of  us." 

''  Several  milos  !"  repeated  Frank  ;  "it 
must  be  three  thousand. " 

"  Something  like  that,  I  belave.  The  worst 
part  of  our  journey  is  behind  us." 

"  Flow  far  are  we  from  Juneau  V 

^'  To  be  exact,  which  I  loikes  to  be,  it  is  five 
hundred  and  tin  miles." 


I'  i 


'<  i 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


AT     DAWSON     CITY. 

Naturally  tlie  i-outo  over  ^vliicli  the  little 
party  of  gold-seekoi's  were  j(.urncyiiig  stcjiUily 
improved.  The  Yukon,  like  inaiiv  other  areat 
rivers  ol:'  the  world,  comes  into  being'  a  liistv, 
vigorous  infant,  the  junction  of  the  Lewis  and 
Pelly  making  it  a  stream  of  considerable  pro- 
portions from  the  moment  it  takes  its  name. 

Other  gold-hunters  were  seen  from  time  to 
time,  and  there  ^vere  pleasant  exchanges  an<l 
greetings  \vith  most  of  them.  It  wan  tlie  cus- 
tom of  Jeff  Graham  to  keep  going  so  long  as 
daylight  lasted,  when  the  raft  was  \vorked  into 
shore  and  an  encampment  made.  For  a  time 
the  old  miner  kept  his  Winchc^ster  Avithin  im- 
mediate reach,  hoping  to  gain  sight  of  some 
deer  or  wild  game,  but  as  day  after  day  and 
night  after  night  passed  without  the  first 
glimpse  of  anything  of  the  kind,  he  gave  up  in 
disgust. 

136 


il: 
I 
> 

h 


N 


'id 


nil 


i  n 


1 


f  i 


I': 


\   ' 


I  I 


i-   ! 


13« 


TIIK  YOUNG  GOLD  SKKKEUS. 


;i 


■'  Hi 

I  I'' 


"  It's  the  most  villainous  countrv  on  tlie  face 
of  the  earth,"  he  said,  as  he  lit  his  pipe  at  the 
evening  fire.  "  If  it  wasn't  for  the  gold  that 
we  know  is  here,  no  decent  man  would  stay 
over  night  in  it.  Frank,  toll  me  something 
about  the  confounded  country." 

"  Me  !"  replied  the  boy,  with  a  laugh.  "  I 
don't  know  half  as  much  as  vou  and  Tnn. " 

"  Yes,  you  do.  Tim  don't  know  anything 
more  than  the  best  \va  v  to  ti'avel  tlirou<;h  the 

.  CD 

mountains  and  across  the  lakes." 

The  Irishman  took  his  pi})e  from  between  liis 
lips  to  offer  protest  against  this  slur,  but 
changed  his  mind,  and  resumed  smoking,  though 
his  eyes  twinkled. 

"  A  man  that  takes  a  lot  of  gold  out  of  the 
ground  and  then  lets  a  thief  steal  it  isn't  fit  to 
go  alone. ' ' 

"  Which  is  why  I've  provided  mesilf  with  a 
chap  that  knows  it  all,"  said  Tim,  not  the  least 
offended,  though  Ilardman  scowled,  for  the  re- 
mark was  a  pointed  reflection  upon  him  ;  but 
he  held  his  peace. 

^*  What  about  the  In j ins  here?"  pursued 
Jeff,  addressing  the  boys  ;  "they're  different 
from  ours  in  Calif orny." 


.1/    DAWSOA"  CITY. 


V61 


If 


Inuik  li:ul  IK,  wish  to  jiir  his  knowledge,  buL 
he  replied  : 

"I  have  read  tliat  the  natives  belon^  i,,  the 
red  and  yellow  races-thjit  is,  tlie  [ndian  and 
Mongolian.  There  are  two  stocks  of  Iiuhans  - 
the  Thlinkets  and  the  Tenni^j.  Thci-e  are  onjv 
H  few  Thlinkets,  and  they  live  along-  the  const. 
That  old  Indian  who  r(>rrie<l  iis  over  hak<'  Lin- 
deman  is  a  Tenneh,  as  are  the  natives  of  the 
interior.  Vou  may  not  think  they  nre  nuich 
like  oui-  Indians,  bat  they  belong  totheChippe- 
wayan  family,  the  same  as  the  Apaches,  \vho 
have  caused  so  much  trouble  in  Mexico  and 
Arizona." 

''  That  has  been  my  'pinion,"  said  Tim,  who 
now  heard  the  fact  for  the  first  time  ;  '^  and  the 
raison  why  the  Ahiska  redskins  ain't  as  bad  as 
the  Apaches  is  'cause  the  ^veather  is  so  cold  it 
freezes  up  all  the  diviltry  in  them. " 

''RoswelV' continued  Teff,  who  was  j^roud 
to  show  off  the  learning  of  his  young  friends, 
''  why  do  they  call  the  liskimos  ;  '--t  name  ?" 

''  The  name,  which  means  those  who  eat  raw 
flesh,  was  given  to  them  by  tlie  Indians. 
They  call  themselves  xVleuts,  or  Innuits.  The 
Innuits  are  the  same  as  tLe  Eskimos  of  Green- 


B 


it 


'iM 


;■  i 


III 


IMS 


THE  YOU  NO  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


1 1 


iilji 


liind  and  tlie  Arctic  regions,  whiles  tlu-  AKuis 
bL4ong  to  xVlasku,  tlie  long-,  narrow  ju'iiinsula 
which  extends  southwesterly  from  the  main  hind 
and  the  Aleutian  Islands,  that  look  lik(;  a  con- 
tinuation of  the  ])en insula.  As  for  the  climate, 
temperature,  jind  size  of  Alaska,  you  and  Tim 
know  as  much  as  we  do,"  said  Iloswell,  who 
disliked  as  much  as  his  cousin  to  seinn  to  display 
his  knowled<.;e. 

''  Why  not  be  modest,"  gravely  asked  Tim, 
"  and  say  that  ye  knows  almost  ns  much  as  Mr. 
McCabe,  leaving  Mr.  Gndiam  out  of  the  quis- 
tion,  be  the  token  that  he  knows  nothing  at  all, 
and  Pm  afeard  will  niver  larn  T' 

"As  3'ou  please,"  replied  Roswell;  "you 
and  Jeff  may  settle  that  between  you." 

''  And  ther's  nothing  to  sittle,  as  me  mither 
used  tc  obsarve  whin  she  looked  into  the  impty 
coffee-pot  ;  Jiff  won't  pretind  that  he  knows 
anvthino:  of  this  country  so  lon<j:  as  he  is  in  the 
prisence  of  mesilf." 

"  Very  true,"  gravely  replied  the  old  miner  ; 
"  but  if  I  do  scoop  in  any  gold,  I  think  I'll 
know  'nough  to  shoot  any  man  that  tries  to 
steal  it. ' ' 

As  he  spoke  he  darted  a  glance  at  Hardman, 


AT  DAWSOX  CITY. 


V6d 


who  was  silting-  a,  little  back  IVoiu  the  liiv,  also 
smoking,  hut  gUini  and  silent.  The  hoys  wou- 
(h'red  why  Jetf  should  iinke  these  ])ointed  ref- 
erences, when  he  had  ne\ ci-  liinted  jinvthino-  of 
tlie  kind  l)et'<)i'e,  hut  the  ohl  niiner  had  a  piir- 
})ose  in  mind.  While  not  se(Miiin<i"  to  pay  any 
special  attention  to  IIar(hn:in,  h(^  had  studied 
him  closely  foi-  th(i  past  few  (hiys,  and  felt  lit- 
tle douht  thiit  he  was  [)hi,nning  miscliief.  The 
words,  therefore,  that  delf  uttei-ed  ^vere  meant 
as  a  warning  to  tije  rogue  of  what  lie  might 
expect  if  he  attempted  any  ci-ooked  woi'k. 

No  further  reference  n-as  made  to  the  un- 
pleasant subject,  althougli  Jelf  and  Tim  chalfed 
each  other  for  a.  long  time,  even  aft(M'  the  boys 
had  wrapped  tiiems(^lves  in  their  blankets  and 
lain  down  to  sleep.  Xo  watch  ^vas  set,  as 
would  haye  been  the  case  had  tliey  been  jour- 
neying through  a  wild  part  of  their  own  coun- 
try, for  there  was  nothing  to  be  feared  from 
wild  animals  or  Indians.  The  only  beint'- 
whom  J(^tT  and  the  boys  distrusted  was  a  mem- 
ber of  their  o\rn  company,  and  they  did  not  ])e- 
lieve  he  would  do  anything  wrong  until  after 
the  party  had  secured  something  Avorth  the  risk 
on  his  part. 


m 


1^ 


>4' 


uj 


Ml  if: 


^p* 


140 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEK E US. 


V. 


f  I 


t..fc  t' 


Deprived  of  many  of  the  comforts  o!  liome 
and  a  mother's  care,  it  did  not  tiikc  the  l)oys 
long,,  under  the  tutelage  of  the  older  ones,  to 
atte:id  to  tlieirowu  wants.  Roswell  and  Frank 
soon  L>;irned  liow  to  sew  on  a  button  and  do 
the  nu^nding  which  their  garments  occasionally 
riMjuired.  They  washed  tlKiir  clothing  and  kept 
themselves  in  better  form  than  do  many  men 
when  [)laced  in  a  similar  situation. 

With  the  weather  f^^rowino^  more  summerv 
and  hardly  a  bit  of  ice  in  the  river,  the  raft 
glided  down  tlie  Upper  Yukon.  Ninety-eight 
miles  from  the  head  of  the  Yukon,  the  craft 
passed  tlu^  mouth  of  the  Millc  River,  and  in 
this  cjise  the  party  saw  the  appropriateness  of 
the  name,  for  its  water  has  a  perceptible  whitish 
color. 

A  goodly  distance  remained  to  be  passed,  foi* 
it  was  ten  miles  to  Stewart  River,  and  twenty- 
live  more  to  Fort  Ogilvie,  where  they  spent  tin* 
night.  They  were  now  nearing  their  jourru^y's 
end,  and  all  showed  a  peculiar  agitation,  such 
as  is  natural  when  W(^  feel  ourselves  clos(^  upon 
the  solution  of  a  problem  that  has  baffled  us  for 
a  long  time. 

One  form  of  this  emotion  was  the  impatience 


AT  DA  WSON-  riTT. 


141 


to  get  forward  fasten  tlian  before.  There  was 
nothing  of  tiie  feeling  when  ieiiving  Seattle  or 
Juneau  or  Dyea,  nor  (li<l  they  experience  it  to 
any  degree  while  toiling  tlirougli  the  hundnMls 
of  imlcs  from  lake  to  hds:e  and  down  tlie  upper 
waters  of  the  streams  which  help  to  form  tlie 
"kukon. 

-Roswell  and  Frank  were  grateful  for  one 
blessed  fact—they  were  stronger  and  in  nioi-e 
rugged  health  tiian  ever  in  their  lives.  Wlieii 
making  their  way  through  the  passes  and  he]]>- 
ing  to  drag  the  sleds,  they  felt  more  than  once 
like  giving  up  and  turning  l^ack,  though  neitlie)- 
^vould  have  confessed  it  ;  but  now  thev  were 
hopeful,  buoyant,  and  eager.  Tlu^y  had  sent 
the  last  letter  which  they  expected  to  write 
home  for  a  long  tinu^  u])on  leavino-  Dyea 
where  they  bade  good-by  to  civilization. 

The  afternoon  was  young  when  the  raft  drift- 
ed  into  a  portion  of  the  Yukon  which  expand- 
ed into  a  width  of  two  miles,  where  it  was 
joined  by  another  large  stream.  On  the  east- 
ern shore  loomed  a  straggling  town  of  consid- 
erable proportions. 

"Tim,"  said  Frank,  suspecting  the  truth, 
''what  place  is  that  ?" 


1 


'4 
■'I.  I 


^ 


\m 


\  t 


I: 


I  u 


142 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


^'Frinds,"  replied  Tim,  vainly  tvyin<r  to 
conceal  his  rtgitation,  ''that  town  is  Dawson 
City,  and  the  river  flovrino-  into  ours  is  the 
Klondike.  Ye  have  raiclicd  the  goold  counthry, 
which,  being  the  same,  I  rispictfidly  asks  ya  all 
to  jine  mesilf  in  letting  out  a  liuiTah  which  will 
make  tlie  town  trim])le  and  tlie  payple  open 
their  eyes  so  widc^  that  they  won't  git  them 
shet  agin  for  a  wake  to  corner  Are  ye  riddy  ? 
AltoiT-ither  I" 

And  the  cheers  Arere  givi.>n  with  a  will 


I 
II 

I 

i 


di 


CHAPTER    XIY. 

ON    THE    EDGE    OF   THE    GOLD-FIEI.DS. 

The  littlo  party  of  gold-seokors  liad  eyorv 
Clime  to  conoTatiiIa,t<^  t!i(M)isnlv(>s,  for  aftor  a 
journey  of  nearly  tuotliousam!  uuIvh  froiu  Seat- 
tle, throuo-h  wii<]  p;!ssos,  ({angeroiis  rapids  and 
cajlons,  over  precipitous  mountains,  amid  storm 
and  temppsts,  with  theii-  lives  many  a  time  in 
peril,  half  frozen  and  exliausted  hy  the  most 
wearisome  toil,  they  had  arrived  at  Dawson 
City,  in  the  midst  of  the  wonderful  g-old  district 
of  the  Northwest,  all  without  misliap  and. in 
hetter  eondition  than  when  they  left  home. 

The  boys,  in  j'oug-hino-  it,  had  hreathed  tho 
invigorating  ozone  and  gained  in  rugged  health 
and  strength.  Youth  and  buoyant  spirits  were 
on  their  side,  and  their  muscles,  which  would 
hav(^  be(.'ome  flabby  in  the  unwholesome  atmos- 
phere of  a  store,  w(^re  hardened,  and  their  (mi. 
durance  and  capacity  for  trying  work  immeas- 
urably increased.     There  arc  thousands  of  men 

143 


^ 

I 


fe! 


si 

II 


'J 


r 


144 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


it 
if 


to-day  enjoying  life,  without  ;ni  ache  or  pain, 
who  owe  their  sph^idid  condition  to  the  cam- 
paigning tliey  iindcrw(Mit  in  the  war  for  the 
Union.  If  tlint  tcrrilic  struggle  swept  multi- 
tudes into  tlicir  graves,  it  brought  the  balm  of 
strength  and  health  to  many  more,  who  other- 
Avise  would  not  have  lived  out  half  their  days. 

The  trying  (experience  of  Jetf  Graham  in  his 
youth  and  early  manhood  did  this  service  for  him. 
Tt  was  not  strange,  therefore,  that  he  Avith  his 
iron  muscles  bore  the  strain  better  than  any  of 
his  companions.  li(i  seemed  to  be  tireless,  and 
his  sturdy  strenotli  often  i)ut  others  to  shame. 
He  had  never  sa])pe(l  his  constitution  by  dissi- 
pation ;  and  it  may  bo  said  that  the  severe  hard- 
ships of  that  journey  from  Dyea  through  Chil- 
koot  Pass  and  tlie  wild  regions  about  the  Tapper 
Yukon  confirmed  tliat  which  already  existed 
\vithin  his  splendid  make-up.  As  for  Roswell 
Palmer  and  Frank  Manslev,  their  excellent 
home  training,  not  denying  credit  to  the  grim 
old  miner  for  his  wise  counsel,  had  held  them 
free  from  the  bad  habits  which  too  often  make 
V)ovs  effeminate  and  weak  and  old  before  their 
time.  Gifted  by  nature  with  the  best  of  con- 
stitutions, thev  had  strengthened  rather  than 


ji|l|| 


ON  TEE  EDGE  OF  THE  OOLD-FIELDS.     145 

undermined  them.  Neither  hjid  known  an 
hour's  illness  throughout  the  long,  hiborious 
journey,  and  they  were  in  the  best  condition 
possible  for  the  great  task  that  now  confronted 
them. 

As  for  Tim  McCabe  and  Ike  Ilardman,  their 
weakness  lay  in  yielding  to  the  temptation  to 
drink.     No  such  temptation   appeared  on  the 
road,    and  their  enforced  tempL-rance  had  the 
best  effect.    Tim  was  less  disposed  to  drink  than 
the  other,  but,  sad  to  say,  he  imlLilg(Hl  at  times. 
Hardman's  ideal  was  to  obtain  the  means  for 
doing  nothing  and  minister  to  his  base  appetites. 
It  was  in  1887  that  Dr.  George  M.  Dawson, 
the  leader  of  an  exploring  expedition  sent  by 
the  Canadian  Government  into  the  Yukon  dis- 
trict, made  a  report  conhrming  the  presence  of 
gold  in  vast  quantities  tJiroughout  that  section. 
The  principal  mining   camp  cstal.lished  tliere 
was  named  in  his  honor,     ft  faces  on  one  of 
the  banks  of  the  Yukon  River,  along  which  it 
extends  for  about  a  mile.      It  has  a  sawmill, 
stores,  and  churches  of  the  Baptist,  J  Vesbvterinn, 
Methodist,  ami  lioman  (^atholic  denonn nations' 
IJeing  the  headquarters  of  the  Canadian  North- 
nest   mounted   l)olic(^   it   is   one   of   the  best- 


m 


m 


V 


\^:- 


i  '■ 


I 


I 


146 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


!•     I- 


goveriie( I  to  w iis  on  the  American  continent.  At 
the  tini(?  of  our  friends'  arrival  its  popuhition  was 
about  foui*  thousand,  but  the  rusli  will  swell  it 
in  an  incrediblv  short  Avhile  to  ten,  twenty,  and 
possil)ly  fifty  times  that  number,  for  beyond 
question  it  is  tlie  centre  of  the  most  marvellous 
gold  district  that  the  world  has  ever  known. 

Coi)por,  silver,  and  coal  are  found  in  large 
quantities,  l)ut  no  one  gives  them  a  thought 
when  so  nmch  of  the  vastly  more  attractive 
yellow  metal  is  within  reach.  It  is  sin«"ular 
that  while  the  existence  of  gold  was  incontes- 
tably  known  for  many  years,  little  or  no  excite- 
ment was  produced  until  1896  and  1897,  when 
the  whole  civilized  world  was  turned  almost 
topsy-turvy  by  the  bewildering  rei)orts.  Dur- 
infy  the  first  three  montlis  of  tlie  hvtU'.v  veur 
more  than  four  million  doUars  were  taken  from 
a  space  of  forty  square  miles,  wliere  a  few 
placer  claims  were  worked.  AYhat  harvest  will 
be  during  the  next  te^y  years  no  man  dare  at- 
tempt to  guess.  How  suggestive  the  fact  that 
on  one  stream  so  much  of  the  metal  has  been 
found  that  it  was  given  the  name  "  Too  Much 
Gold  Creek  !'^ 

Inasmuch   as   our   friends   are    now   on   the 


^ 


ON  THK  EDGE  OF  THE  GOLD-FIELDS.     147 


ground,  a  few  more  facts  are  j)roper,  in  order 
to  understand  the  task  that  confronted  them. 
Dawson  City,  it  will  be  remembered,  is  in  Brit- 
ish territorv,  and  all  the  <!:reat  discoveries  of 
gold  have  been  made  to  th(3  e;ist  of  that  town. 
Doubtless  gold  will  be  gatlK.^i'inl  in  Alaska 
itself,  but  the  ])robabilities  are  that  the  richest 
deposits  are  upon  Canadian  soil. 

The  mining  claims  begin  within  two  and  a 
half  miles  of  Dawson  City,  on  the  Klondike, 
and  follow  both  sides  of  that  stream  into  the 
interior,  taking  in  its  tributaries  like  Hunker's 
Creek,  Gold  Bottom,  Last  Chance,  Bear  Creek, 
Bould's  Bonanza,  and  El  Dorado.  Of  these  the 
richest  are  El  Dorado,  (rold  Bottom,  Hunker,  and 
the  oddly  named  Too  Much  Gold  v 'reek.  The  last 
is  the  farthest  from  Dawson  Citv,  and  the  least 
known  ;  but  there  can  be  no  question  that  nu- 
merous othoi"  streams,  at  present  unvisited,  are 
equally  rich,  and  will  be  speedily  developed. 

Just  now  placer  mining  is  the  only  method 
employed.  According  to  the  mining  laws  of 
the  Northwest,  the  words  "  mine,"  ''  plncer 
mine,"  and  "diggings"  mean  the  same  thing, 
and  refer  to  an>'  natural  stratum  or  bed  of 
earth,  gravel,  or  cenn^ntmiiKHl  for  gold  or  other 


^^  I 


'i,!l 


I). 


lii'^' 


I  i  i  i 


148 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKER8, 


\m 


I  I  <■»  1- 


til' 


precious  mineral.  There  is  very  little  quartz 
mining,  oi'  crushing  of  rocks,  as  is  ])ractised  in 
many  sections  ol"  California.  This  I'erjuires  ex- 
pensive macliinery,  and  little  necessity  for  it 
seems  to  exist  in  tiie  Klondike,  In  placer  min- 
ing the  pay  dirt  is  washed  hy  the  simplest 
methods,  such  as  were  i)ractised  in  California 
during  the  pioneer  days. 

Evervthiny'  w^as  hurrv  and  bustle  at  Dawson 
Citv  on  that  dav,  late  in  ^^av,  when  our  friends 
arrived.  It  was  a  noticeai>le  fact  that  the  date 
of  their  arrival  was  exactly  two  months  after 
the  boys  kissed  their  parents  good-by  in  San 
P>ancisco. 

Tim  McCabe  had  gathered  much  practical 
knowledge  during  his  experience  in  this  region, 
while  flelf  had  not  forgotten  wdiat  he  passed 
through  "  in  the  days  of  '4t),"  to  wdiicli  wis- 
dom he  liad  added,  as  opportunity  presented, 
while  on  the  way  to  the  Klondike.  When  the 
party  had  eaten  together  at  the  principal  hotel 
and  the  men  had  lit  their  pipes  in  a  group  by 
tliemselves,  a  surprise  came.  The  old  miner 
smoked  a  minute  or  two  in  silence,  and  then 
turned  to  Ilardman,  who  \vas  sitting  a  little 
apart,  moody  and  reserved. 


(>y  THE  EDiili  OF  Tin:  i;()l.n  rilJLDS.     149 

'' Il<('/' said  hv,  ••  Tv,.  stood   hyyou  nJltlie 
AVMV  i'rojn  Juiioaii,  liaiift  I  C^ 

The  fellow  looked  uonderhi-jy  at  hi.,,,  as  did 
the  othei's,  iiono  sus])eeti„o.  wh,,t  was  co„iino-. 

'^In^coiu'sc,"  was  the  ondF  reply  of  li^rd- 
nian  ;  "  ^ve  all  stood  by  one  anothe]-,  fur  if  Are 
hachi't  we  wouldn't  stood  at  all." 

"  Vou\(^  o,,t  to  Dawson  City  without  it  cost- 
ing  you  a  penny,  haven^t  vou  ?" 

t, 

"Tliero  liain't  been  iimcli  cliunco  to  spend 
money  since  we  left  Dyea/' replied  ilurdman 
with  a  grin. 

Jeff  was  nettled  by  this  dodgino-  of  the  issue  ; 
but  he  kept  liis  temper. 

"  And  if  there  h;,d  been  you  hacbrt  a^  dollar 
to  spend  onless  you  kept  back  some  of  that 
which  you  stole  from  Tim." 

"I  don't  see  the  use  of  your  harping  on  that 
affair,"  said  ITardman  angrily.  -  Vxq  owned 
up,  and  am  going  to  make  "it  all  right  Avith 
Tim.  It's  none  of  your  ])usiness,  any^^av^  and 
I  don't  Avant  to  hear  any  more  of  it. '' 

"Well,  what  Vm  getting  at  is  this  :  if  it 
hadn't  been  for  me  you'd  never  got  to  this 
place.  You're  here,  and  now  you  must  look 
out  for  yourself  ;  I   won't  have  you  an  hour 


tiM4 


. 


II!) 

il 


m 

111.  «< 


( 


H 


n] 

m  ■ 

It 


'i   M 


i\ 


.i   ( 


lii 


'I\ 


tl^     ■  i 


150 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


ill 


>  ' 


longer  in  the  party  ;   wo  part  ;  get  away  as 
soon  as  you  can  !" 

Ilardman  looked  savagely  at  the  old  miner, 
as  if  suspecting  he  had  not  heard  aright.  But 
a  moment's  reflection  convinced  him  there  was 
no  mistake.  With  a  muttered  imprecation  he 
rose  to  his  feet  and  left.  But  it  was  by  no 
means  the  last  of  him. 


I--!'I 


M 


CHAPTER   Xy. 

PKOSPECTIMG. 

After  the  depurturo  of  Ilarcljiuin,  Jeff  ex- 
pLiined  to  Tim  why  Jie  hud  driven  him  from 
their  company,  lie  told  ^vhat  Frank  had  seen 
u'hen  crossing-  Lake  Lindeman,  and  how  the 
fellow  afterward,  when  he  thouglit  all  were 
asleep  within  the  tent,  went  out  to  meet  his 
confederate. 

'  T  didn't  want  to  turn  him  loose  on  the 
road,"  added  Jeff,  '^  thouoh  I  had  half  a  mind 
to  tell  him  to  hunt  up  his  friends  and  join  tliem. 
Hut  he  now  has  tlie  same  chance  as  the  rest  of 
us,  and  umst  look  out  for  himself." 

"  Regoira,  but  ye  are  right,  Jiff/'  ^vas  the 
hearty  responses  of  the  Irishman.  "  I'm  begin- 
ning to  suspict  that  he  didn't  intind  to  give 
back  that  money  he  l)orrere(l— that  is,  if  he 
should  iver  lay  hands  on  tlie  same." 

Jeff  looked  pityingly  at  his  friend  ;  but  read- 
ing in  tlie  expression  of  his  face  that  he  was 

151 


l:lMM 


it: 
)t«i  • ' 


111. 


mi 
nil  ; 


<jl 


ll 


ill 


j  ■ 
(i 


H 


152 


777/';  y()('.\(;  aoLi)  seekers. 


m 


\  ' 


ii  i 


jesting,    Ik;    miule    n<.    i'esp(jnse.     Instead,    lie 
spoke  impressively  : 

"  You  never  would  have  lost  that  money  if 
you  liadn^t  been  in  li([Uor. " 

"  That's  the  fact,  Jiff  ;  but  how  did  ye  find 
it  out  ?" 

"  My  own  common  sense  told  me.  You've 
been  looking  'round  the  last  hour  for  a  chance 
to  indulo'e  a  "'in." 

"  I'll  admit,"  was  the  frank  response, 
"  that  a  dim  idea  of  the  kind  has  been  flicker- 
in'  tlirough  me  Ijrain  ;  but  I  cast  the  timpta- 
tion  indignantly  behind  me.  Do  you  know 
why  ?" 

''No." 

' '  Nobody  offered  to  pay  for  the  drinks,  and 
I  haven't  a  cint  to  pay  for  any  mesilf. " 

"  And  you  won't  get  a  cent  from  me  ;  you 
must  earn  it  by  taking  out  gold.  If  you  suc- 
ceed it'll  be  yours,  and  you  can  do  as  you  please 
with  it." 

Tim  removed  his  cap  and  scratched  his  head. 

^'  I've  gone  a  good  many  wakes  without  it, 
and  I  feel  so  much  better  that  I'm  thinking  of 
keeping  up  the  good  work. " 

'•'  I  hope  you  will,  and  prove  yourself  a  man 


PliOSPKCTINO. 


15;j 


f 


of  sense.     Mur    ut  Iwtvr-  no  time  to  wjiste  ;  we 

ougliter  be  oii  ()!ii'  \\-;iv  now/' 

The  sentiment  suited  all,  and   was  loUowed 

without  dehiy.      Andd  the  erusii  and  hustle  it 

^\'as  impossible  to  hire  a  lioj'se,  mule,  (hinkev, 
or  boat.  Everything-  had  been  engaged  long 
before,  and  there  were  hundreds  of  disappoint" 
<'d  applicants  who,  likeour  friends,  wei'e obliged 
to  make  the  trani))  eastward  on  foot,  carrying 
their  utensils  with  them,  and  leaving  behinil  all 
that  was  not  necessftry  in  the  work  of  placer 
mining. 

During  the  brief  stay  at  Dawson  City  the 
four  attentively  studied  such  ma  ps  as  they  could 
secure,  and  gathered  all  information  from  the 
many  who  were  cjualilied  and  willing  to  give  it. 
As  a  consequence,  Avhen  they  started  up  the 
Klondike,  they  had  a  well-defined  idea  of  their 
destination. 

The  first  stream  which  flows  into  the  river 
from  the  soutlnvard  is  the  Bonanza,  some 
twenty-five  miles  long.  This  itself  has  numer- 
ous small  tributaries  emptying  into  it  ;  but 
hearing  that  all  claims  had  been  located,  nnd 
not  believing  it  possible  that  any  valuable' ones 
had  been  overlooked,  they  pushed  on  to  Twelve 


t 


.  i; 


111 

ml 


».(,  < 


m 


!HP 


T^ 


I   : 


1M 


TFFE  YOlJyG  GOLD  SEEKEUS, 


if 


\         ' 


i\ 


\-\\ 


Mile  Creel',  also  flowing  from  the  soutli.  There 
the  same  facts  confronted  tliem,  and  camping 
on  tlie  road  when  necessary,-  our  friends  finally 
reached  Too  Much  Gold  Creek,  thirty- five  miles 
from  Dawson. 

Gold-liunters  were  all  around  them,  and  fre- 
quently the  men  and  boys  tramped  for  miles  in 
the  company  of  men  whom  they  had  never  seen 
before  ;  but  such  a  life  levels  social  distinc- 
tions, and  tliey  were  soon  upon  as  friendly 
terms  as  if  thev  had  come  from  Seattle  in  com- 
pany. 

At  the  mouth  of  Tor*  Much  Gold  Creek  they 
encountered  two  grizzly  miners,  each  mounted 
on  a  mule  that  was  so  covered  with  additional 
luggage  that  little  l)esides  liis  head,  ears,  and 
forefeet  was  visible.  They  intended  to  cross 
the  Klondike  and  prospect  on  the  other  side. 
Jeff  asked  wlnither  there  was  no  gold  along  the 
creek  Avhich  tlic^v  had  lUst  descended. 

"  It's  full  of  it,''  was  the  re])ly  of  the  elder  ; 
•'  but  we're  too  late  ;  ail  the  claims  have  been 
taken  u]). " 

"Did  vou  ffo  to  the  headwaters  ?" 

"  Xo  ;  Ave  didn't  want  to  waste  the  time, 
when  all  the  claims  are   o'one  ;  there  are  other 


PItOSPECriNG, 


155 


places  as  good  ns  that,  ami  xro'll  strike  one;  so 
good-ljy,  friends/' 

Laaghiii-  and  in  \\\g\i  spirits,  the  two  miners 
struck  their  hoo^  li.^eis  against  tlie  i'il)s  of  their 
nud(>s  and  \Nere  oil.  It  may  l)e  \voi'th  record- 
ing tliat  ])otli  of  them  strnck  it  rich  within  tlie 
iV^lJowmg  w(vk,  and  a  month  hitiT  started  for 
home  I'icli  men. 

"  It  ain't  likely,"  said  Jelf,  "  tiiat  tliere  are 
many  claims  left  along  tliis  I'ivei'  ;  but  thei^e 
nuist  be  some.  Anyhow,  we'll  trv  it  ;  Tm 
sure  there  are  places  ajiiong  those  monntains 
that  nobody  has  visited."' 

To  tlie  east  and  south  towered  a  spur  of  the 
Uocky  .Mountains.  It  would  take  hundivds  of 
men  a  long  tim(>  thoroughly  to  explore  their 
recesses,  and  it  \vas  the  intention  of  the  leader 
to  push  in  among  them.  The  region  resem- 
bled that  to  which  he  had  been  accustomed  in 
California,  and  he  would  feel  more  at  home 
there. 

80  the  wearisome  tramp  was  resunuMl  and 
continued,  with  occasional  ri^sts,  until  late  at 
night.  Other  parties  were  continuallv  encoun- 
tored,  and  all  had  the  same  stcjry  to  tell  of 
there  not  beiiig  a  foot  of  desirable  land  that 


.iHn 


' , - 


II 


11 


)"■ 


.A 

*] 

Ill'  f 

II'- 

III 

<ll 

ml 


i'UiJ' Jl 


II 


Iff! 


l.Ml 


TIJE  YOUyo  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


?■  > 


was  not  pre-t'inptod.  Some  oi"  liiest^  people 
were  returniiiii',  but  most  of  theni  pressed  on, 
hopeful  of  striking  some  spot  that  was  awaiting 
them. 

Encamping  undd*  the  slielter  of  a  rock,  the 
journey  was  resumed  early  tlie  next  morning, 
and,  sonn^  twenty  miles  from  tlie  Klondilce,  a 
turn  wjis  made  eastward  among  the  mountains, 
which  stretch  far  bevond  the  farthest  rani>e  o^ 
vision.  Thev  were  following-  a  small  stream 
that  showed  no  signs  of  having  been  visitenl, 
and  by  noon  had  reached  a.  j)oint  where  tliey 
seemed  as  miicli  alone  as  if  in  the  depths  of 
Africa. 

''  I  guess  we  mav  as  well  trv  it  here,"  said 
Jeff,  and  he  began  to  unload  liis  pack,  in  which 
he  was  promptly  imitated  by  liis  com])anions. 
They  quickly  linished,  and  sat  down  for  a  long- 
rest. 

It  had  been  a  steadv  climb  almost  from  tlie 
first.  But  for  their  ])revious  severe  training 
the  bovs  would  have  succunil)ed,  but  thev  stood 
it  well.  The  stream  which  tlowed  iu  front  ol" 
thein  was  little  more  than  a  brook,  that  seemed 
to  be  made  bv  the  melting  snows  above.  It 
was   clear   and   cold,  and   they   drank   dei^ply 


fr 


PltOSPECriKO. 
*>'"  it.     Rooks  and  bowkle 


167 


Jou-lders  were  above,  be- 
low, in  front,  and  ut  tijo  reur. 

When  tli,,.ir  ntensils  and  equipage  were  Jaid 
■n  u  pde,  Jeff  went  off  in  one  <lirection,  Tim 
■n  Huother,  while  tl.e  bo.v.s  plunj,,.,  deeper 
into  tl.e  n.ountains,  all  ..ngaged  in  prospecting 
as  best  they  eonld.  rnas.nuel,  as  the  boys 
had  never  ha,l  any  experience  in  that  sort  of 
work,  their  only  ciiance  of  success  was  through 
accident. 

They  followed  up  the  stream,  as  nearly  as 
they  coul.l  judge,  for  al,o„t  a„  eighth  of  a  mile 
stdl  among  the  huge  rocks,  ui.en  thevsat  down 
to  rest. 

"  Vre  „.ay  as  well  go  back,"  erie,l  Roswell, 

for  .Jeff  and  Tin,  are  the  only  ones  who  know 
when  they  have  come  upon  signs  of  gol.l  ;  we 

may  have  passed  a  half-dozen  ,,hices  where  it 

can  be  taken  out  by  the  bushel-" 

Frank  touched  his  cousin's  arm  and  indicated 

by  a  nod  of  his  head  a  pile  of  rocks  a  few  rods 
away  and  a  sliort  <listance  above  them  Look 
mg  thither,  they  sa.v  the  hea.l  and  shoulders  of 
a  man  intently  studying  then,.  When  he  found 
lie  was  observed  he  lowered  his  head  and  disap- 
peared.  ^ 


I 

Ml 

K 

t 

r, 

X 

f 

.,* 

i 

L 

1 

i    j 

;■ ! 


>H4 


J 


;}|  t 


II)    ; 

Ill 


^\ 


h}j 


*    .;!' 


*;l; 


III  I 

•i:.  ! 


0 


158 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


\ 

i 

5 

\ 

1  « 

1 

"  Dc  you  know  him  ?"  asked  Frank,  in  an 
undertone. 

"  ]S^  ;  I  never  saw  him  before." 
"  ^^es,  you  iiave.     He  crossed  Lake  Linde- 
man  with  us.     He's  the  one  tiiat  signalled  to 
Ilardman  and  afterward  met  him  at  night  out- 
side of  our  tent. " 


'  tj    !'i 


\  >. 
i 


\u 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

A    FIND. 

It  was  an  unpler.sant  discovoiy  to  tho  boys 
thiit  after  parting  company  Avitli  tlio  ill-favoi-ed 
^nan  ^vho  ^vas  known  to  he  a  friend  and  comrade 
of  the  rogue  Ike  Ilardman,  ami  after  travelling 
Inmdreds  of  niilc^s  to  this  lonely  spot,  tliey 
shrndd  mec^t  tiie  fellow  again.  Donbtless  he 
^vas  engaged  on  tiie  same  errand  astlrmiselves, 

and  tlie  presam])tion  was  that  sooner  or  later 

lie  would  be  joined  by  Ilardman. 

"  r  don't  know  that  there  is  any  danger," 

said  Roswell  ;   -  l^nt  it  would  be  more  contfort- 

able  to  know  they  were  not  going  to  be  our 

neighbors." 

"  Let's  follow  up  the  man  ami  question  him," 
said  Frank,  starting  to  climb  the  rocks  behind 
which  the  other's  face  liad  vanished.  It  took 
onlyafe\vnn-nutes  to  reach  the  spot  ;  but  when 
they  did  so,  and  looked  around,  nothing  was 
seen  of  him. 

159 


<i^4| 


«■; 


■I' 


II 


■ii"' 


1 


n:.\ 


w 


Y 


■ 


160 


TEE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


m 


?i; 


I  i 


)    ' 


I      ,1 


I  ^    i 


!|;M 


"  He  evidently  doesn't  wish  to  make  our  ac- 
quaintance,"  said  Frank. 

"  I  hope  he  will  continue  to  feel  that  way; 
we  must  tell  Jeff  and  Tim  about  this.  Let's 
hurry  back  to  camp. ' 

They  now  started  to  descend  the  stream, 
which  they  liad  followed  from  the  point  where 
they  left  tlieir  luggage.  By  using  the  brook  as 
their  guide,  they  were  in  no  danger  of  losing 
their  Avay. 

About  half  the  distance  was  passed  when 
they  came  to  a  point  \vhere  tlie  walking  looked 
better  on  the  other  side.  The  stream  was  so 
narrow  that  Frank,  wlio  was  in  the  lead,  easily 
leaped  across.  Roswell  started  to  follow,  but 
tripped  and  fell  on  his  hands  and  knees,  one 
foot  splashing  in  the  water,  which  was  only  a 
few  inches  in  deptli  and  as  clear  as  crystal. 

"  Are  you  hurt  ?"  asked  Frank,  pausing  and 
looking  around  at  him. 

"  Xot  a  bit.  I  don't  know  what  made  mo  so 
awkward." 

''  Halloa  !  what's  that  ?" 

At  first  Frank  thouglit  it  was  a  small  fish 
holding  itself  stationary  in  tlie  brook  ;  but  tliat 
could  not  be,  and  lie  stooped  down  to  see  more 


(  Fi\n. 


161 


11 


ckMi'ly.     Ar,tl,  an  vxvhxuv.xlum,  !„>  dashed  his 
I'and  into  the  uat.r  ,„„l  d,,„  .,„t  ,^  ^ouW. 
.rregular  nuoy.t  ,„.,n.|y  tuo  inches  in  ,lia,„eter 
each  way.     I,  „,„  |„,ig|,t  vello,v  in  color,  and 

«o  heuyv  that   tl,ere  conkl   be  no  doul,t  of  its 
natiii'i!. 

••  rt's  ould  !"  l,e  exclaimed  in  a  half-frio-ht- 

c"e<l  un.h.rton,.  as  l,e  passed  it  to  Rosu-ell,  who 
»•»«  as  Muic-h  excited  as  lie.  He  "hefted"  it 
and  liehl  it  u|)  to  the  light. 

"  Xo  n.istake,  it  is.°   I  ,vonder  what  it  is 
worth." 

"  Several  hundred  dollars  at  least.     I'll  bet 
there  are  lots  more  about  here." 

They  straightway  began  a  vigorous  search 
up  and  down  stream,  confi.k'nt  of  Hnding  other 
sundar  nuggets,  but  none  was  discovered  and 
hnally  tliey  reached  the  j.lace  where  their  bao- 
gage  ha.l  been  left,  and  where  Tim  and  Jeff 
"'ere  awaiting  them. 

"  Look  !"  called  the  delighted  Frank,  hold- 
mg  up  the  nugget.     "  See  what  we  found  '" 

"  Begorra,  but  I  sliouldn't  ivonder  if  that's 
worth  something,"  remarked  Tim,  catclhngthe 
contagion.  Jeff  merely  snuled  and  reached  out 
his  liaml  ,v,tlio„t  a.iy  appearance  of  excitement 


-.1 


:  J 


^f     !!:ii 


In 


w 


I     I 


,     I 


I » 


,«' 


■     1 

( 


162 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


'      ,1 


t   i; 


"  Let  me  have  a  look  at  it." 

lie  never  used  glasses,  nor  did  he  bring  any 
acid  with  which  to  test  such  vellow  metals  as 
tiiey  niiglit  liud,  lor  he  needed  neither.  He 
iiad  been  trained  too  well  in  his  early  manhood. 

Tlie  instnnt  he  noted  its  great  weight  lie  was 
convinced  of  the  truth.  But,  without  speaking 
for  a  minute  or  two,  he  turned  the  nugget  over, 
lield  it  up  to  the  light,  and  tlien  put  it  between 
liis  big,  sound  teeth  as  if  it  were  a  hickory-nut 
wliicli  he  wished  to  crack.  He  looked  at  the 
abrasion  made  by  his  teeth,  tossed  the  nugget 
several  feet  in  the  air,  and,  catching  it  in  his 
palm  as  it  descended,  said  : 

•'  That's  pure  gold.  Haven't  you  any 
more  i" 

''  No,"  replied  Frank  ;  "  we  searched,  but 
couldn't  lind  any." 

Jeff  moved  his  hand  up  and  down  and  closed 
one  eye,  as  if  that  would  help  him  to  estimate 
the  weight  more  exactly. 

"  I  should  say  that  it  is  worth  from  six  to 
eight  hundred  dollars  ;  you  younlvers  have 
made  purty  good  wages  for  to-day.  I  hope," 
he  added  quizzically,  "  you'll  be  able  to  keep  it 
up/'         - 


^ 


A  FIND. 


163 


<( 


And  how  h, 


:iv 


well. 


e  jou  made  out  ?"  asked  Ros- 


(k 


Tim 


lys  he  (h'dn't  come  onto   anything 

'1^-t^  pay  dirt;  hut  I  struck   -i  spot 

^■ives  me  liope.     We'll  locate  here  for  a 


that  looks  111 

that 

whih 


Of 


course  it  was  i 


m 


\m 


possible  for  the  party  to 
"^-  any  material   ^rith  them  from  which  to 
construct  a  dwellino,     The  regulation  miner's 
cabm  hs  t^velve  by  fourteen  feet,  with  walls  six 
or  seven  i,^,t  higl,,  and  gables  two  feet  higher. 
It  consists  of  a  single  room,  with  the  roof  heav 
ily  earthed  an<l  tlie  Avorst  sort  of  ventilation 
owmgto  tlie  smaJl  ^vindows  and  t]ie  necessity 
of  keeping  warm  in  a  climate  that  sometimes 
drops  to  fifty  or  sixty  (h^grees  below  zero.     The 
mmers  keep  dose  witiiin  the  cabins  during  the 
terrd,le  ^^•inter  ^veather,   or,  if  it  permits,  they 
sink  a  shirft  to  bed-rock   and  then   tunnel  in 
different  directions.     The  ground  never  thaws 
below  a  depth  of  two  feet,  so  there  is  no  need 
ox  shormg  to  prevent  its  caving.     The  pay  dirt 


is  bi  ought  up  by  means  of 
nto   a   heap,  wiier 


tl 


iro'.v?!    ! 


spring,  V,  lien  it  is  washed  out 


small  windlass 
remains 


and 


until 


Sinrf> 


\] 


io   season    was   well   advanced,   the 


Mi>^ 


U' 


II: 


.  «<i 

:: 

H  : 

...    ,, 

1 

.iMl. 

i 

:|i   1. 

i  ^ 

■    ■■  %   • 

,■ 

■  l\ 

1 

$ 


fi 


li 


I':.  1 


m 


164 


THE  YOUSG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


$i 


<    i ;  :.    tl 


ill 


■;t 


■  1    .!- 
\            1        ; 

I       1  ,      '  ;        ' 

:    j     1     ,         |.             ■, 

. !  '■ 

■ 

i 

i   ' 

men  and  boys  prepared  themselves  to  wash  the 
pay  dirt  whenever  found.  JJut,  first  of  all,  it 
Avas  necessary  to  establish  a  home  for  them- 
selves while  they  remained  in  the  region.  Tliey 
liad  a  single  axe  and  a  few  utensils  besides  the 
sliovels,  pans,  and  articles  required  in  their 
work.  While  Tim  was  prospecting,  he  gave 
more  attention  to  searching  for  a  site  for  a 
home  than  for  gold,  and  was  fortunate  enough 
to  find  a  place  among  the  rocks,  wiiich  was 
fitted  up  quite  comfortal^ly.  Tlie  stone  fur- 
nished three  and  a  part  of  four  walls  necessary, 
and  they  cut  branches,  which  Avere  spi'ead  over 
the  top  and  covered  with  dirt  for  tlie  roof. 
Owing  to  the  moderate  weather  and  tlie  trouble 
from  smoke,  the  fire  was  kindled  on  the  outside 
when  required  for  cooking  purposes.  The 
Yukon  stove,  beci'use  of  its  weiglit,  was  left  at 
Dawson  City,  Avhither  one  of  them  expected  to 
go  Avhen  it  became  necessary  to  re])lenish  their 
stoies.  Although  the  nights  were  still  cold, 
the  weather  was  comparatively  comfortable. 
Before  long  it  would  become  oppressive  during 
tlie  middle  of  the  day. 

As  Jeff  figured  it  out,  they  had  enough  food, 
toI)acco,   ;uid  supplies  to   last  for  a  couple  of 


' 


if 


A    FTND. 


166 


' 


clami  u-|,icl,  tiR.y  vnslio.l  to  stal;e  our,  it  would 
be  necessary  for  on<.  of  tliom  to  o.,  to  D.-uv.son 
City  to  ro,.i«t.,.r  it.  th-  procosH  boiu.'  quite 
siiiiplo. 

Tlie  prospector  is  forbid.lon  to  exceed  five 
lumdred  feet  up  and  ,lo,vn  u  strean,,  following, 
thecouise  of  the  vnii,.y.  l,„ttl,e  «-idth  mnv  run 
from  base  to  base  of  the  mountains.     Thus  a 
mmer's  claim  is  one  of  the  few  things  that  is 
often    broa.ler   than    it   is    long.     Should   the 
stream  hav<,  no  other  claims  located  upon  it, 
the  one  thus  nuide  is  known  as  th(;  "  thediscov' 
ery  claim,"  and  tlie  stakes  u.sed  are  marked  0 
Th.s  claim  is  the  starting-point,  the  next  one  up 
and  the  next  down  the  stream  being  marked 
J^o.  1,  and  there  can  be  only  two  such  on  any 
stream. 

xVext,  four  stakes  must  be  driven  in  i^laoe 
each  being  marked  with  the  owner's  initials  and 
the]etters"M.L.,"nieaning  ''mining  loea. 
t.on,"afte,.  whicli  it  must  be  bounded  with 
cross  or  end  lines,  and  within  the  ensuin-  sixty 
<lays  the  claim  has  to  be  filed  with  the  o'overn 
ment's  recor,ler  at  Da^^■son  Citv.  Should  a 
claim  be  stale,.!   befor,.  th,.  ,li.s,.overv  of  jrokl 


I    * 


!M 


!'     I 


f^i 


I   > 


1       il 


166 


THE  roLWU  (;()/./;  .sj>jLja'Jl{S. 


the  prospector  has  sixty  days  in  wKwh  to  Mnd 
the  metal.  If  lie  fails  to  do  so  in  the  time  luen- 
tioned,  his  cLaini  lapses,  since  it  is  absolutely 
essential  that  hesliall  find  frold  in  order  to  hold 
it  permanently. 


i  f  !■  ;  • 

1 

;j  1 

! 
■1  '     1 

V, 

■ )  ■ 

I:  : 

!  I 


f   -, 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

THE    CLAIM. 

:N"ot  the  least  interest  in--  feature  of  the  stay 
of   our   friends    in    the    o,,],l   ,,.o-ion   was  tlieir 
cl\vellino- (lurino-  Miosc^  ineinorahle  days.     The 
rocks  came  so  nenrly  to-eilie,-  that  jin  irreuuhn- 
open  si)ace  was  left,  which  iixera-ed  a  widLi  of 
twenty  feet   with   a   <h'i)rh  sliu-htly  less.     Thus 
three  sides  and  the  floor  were  composed  of  solid 
stone.      When  the  roof,   as  de..ril.<.|,  was  put 
in  place,  the  dwelling  had  the  appearance  of  a 
cavern  fully  open  at  the  front.     There  the  can- 
vas composing  the  tent   was  stretched,  and  so 
arranged   that   the    dwelling,    as    it    may   be 
called,  was  completed.     It  Avas  inclosed  on  all 
sides,  with  the  door  composed  of  the  fla])s  of 
the  tent,   Avhich  could   he  lowered  nt  night,  so 
that  the    inmates    were    effectually    protected 
against  the   weather,   though   had   there  been 
any  prowling  wild  animals  or  intruding  white 
men  near,  they  would  have  had  little  difficult \' 

167 


!h 


'     4 


1 


:a 


168 


THE  YOljya  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I  ] 


it 


\ 


i'-» 


■1 


in  forcing  an  entrance.  It  lias  been  explained 
how  all  trouble  from  tlie  smoke  of  a  fire  was 
avoided. 

One  of  tlic  peculiarities  of  this  primitive 
house  was  its  interior  arranfj^ement.  There 
were  so  many  projecting  points  on  tlie  walls 
that  they  were  utilized  as  pegs  upon  which  to 
hang  the  extra  garments.  A  ledge  a  couple  of 
feet  tibove  the  floor  si^rved  as  a  coucli,  upon 
which  the  boys  spread  thcMr  blankets,  while  the 
men  laid  theirs  on  the  floor  its(4l'.  The  miu- 
iny  and  cookini>'  utensils  were  n(3ath'  arrauiied 
against  the  rear  wall,  where  were  piled  the 
small  (nmvas  bags  intended  to  contain  the  gold 
dust  and  nuggets  that  were  to  l)e  gathered. 

Jeff  expressed  the  truth  when  he  said  : 

"  This  will  sarv^eus  well  while  the  weatlier  is 
moderate  ;  but  if  we  shouhl  be  here  when  the 
thei'inometer  lioesdown  to  fiftv  or  sixtv  de^Tees 
below  zero,  w(^\l  turn  into  icicles  before  we 
could  say  Jack  Ivobins(m.  ■' 

Hardly  pausing  to  jVlace  their  house  in  order, 
the  party  set  out  to  investigate  the  find  which 
Jeff  hoped  he  had  made. 

Going  u})  tlie  stream  for  a  short  distance, 
thev  turiKMl  off  into   a    narrow   vallev,   which 


THE   CLAIM. 


169 


never  would  li.-ive  at t meted  tlieutteiition  of  the 
boys. 

The  old  miner  stood  for  some  minutes  atten- 
tively studying  his  surroundings,  and  then,  in- 
stead ot  beginning  to  dig,  as  his  companions 
expected  him  to  do,  he  said  with  an  expression 
of  disgust  : 

"  Boys,  Pve  made  a  mistake  ;  tliere's  no 
gold  here. ' ' 

''  How  can  voutell  until  vou  search  C  asked 
the  astonislied  Iloswelk 

''  It  ain't  wliat  T  tliouglit  it  was  ;  you  don't 
find  tlie  stuff  in  places  like  this.  There's  no 
use  of  wasting  time  ;  come  on." 

Wondering  at  liis  action,  the  tliree,  smiling 
but  silent,  traih'd  after  iiim.  ClimlMug  over 
some  intervening  bowhlers,  tliey  shortly  emerged 
iiito  a  place  altogether  dilferent  from  any  they 
had  yet  seen.  It  was  a  valley  two  or  threes  hun- 
dred feet  in  width,  with  tlie  sides  gently  slop- 
ing. There  was  no  snow  on  the  ground,  and 
here  and  there  a  few  <»'reen  blades  of  ^^-rass 
could  be  seen  s])routing  from  the  fertile  soil. 
Throuii'h  the  middle  of  this  vallev  meandered  a 
stream  eight  oi'  t(Mi  feet  in  widtli,  but  shallow, 
an<l  so  c1(\n'  that   the   bottom  could    he  plainly 


i 

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170 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


t 


J   (' 


■'  h 


seen  while  yet  some  distanctj  away.  The  val- 
iev^  itself  soon  curved  out  of  si^ht  above,  and  it 
was  iiii})ossibl(\  therefore,  to  guess  its  extent 
in  that  direction.  Below  it  terminated,  not  far 
from  where  tliey  stood,  the  roclvs  coming  to- 
gether so  as  to  form  a,  small  canon,  through 
wliich  the  creelc  rushed  with  a  velocity  that 
reminded  them  of  tlie  chmgerous  ones  they  had 
passed  on  their  way  from  Chil]^oot  Pass. 

"  Wait  liere  a  bit/'  said  Jeff,  as  he  started 
toward  the  stream.  The  otliers  obeyed,  watch- 
ing his  actions  with  interest. 

He  strode  to  the  crec^lc,  ahjng  which  he 
walked  a  few  rods,  his  hi^id  bent  as  he  care- 
fully scrutinize<l  all  tliat  [Kissed  under  his  eye. 
Suddenly  lie  stopped  aud  stared  as  if  he  had 
found  that  for  which  Ik^  was  looking.  Then 
stooping  down,  he  leaned  as  far  out  as  he  could, 
ffath.ered  a  handful  of  tlie  gravelh^  soil,  and 
put  it  in  the  washer  whicli  he  had  taken  witli 
him.  This  was  repeated  several  times.  Then 
he  dipped  the  pan  so  as  nearly  to  fill  it  with 
water,  after  which  he  whirled  it  round  several 
times  with  a  speed  that  caused  some  of  the 
water  to  fly  out.  That  part  of  his  work  com- 
pleted, he  set  down  the  pan  which  served  as  a 


ii 


t 


TMK  CLAIM. 


171 


Nvasher,  and   Nvalked  rapidly   l)aek  toward  his 
friends. 

"  Another  disappointment;  '  remarked  Frank  ; 
"  it  isn^t  as  easy  to  find  oold  as  we  ihou-lit."  ' 

"  Idon  tkm)U'  about  that,"  said  Tim  McCabe. 
"  Jiff  looks  to  me  as  if  he  has  hit  on  somothincr 
u'orth  wJnle.  How  is  it.  Jiff  r  lie  called  al 
t;ie  old  minei'.drew  near. 

"That's  our  chiiui,"  J,e  replied;  'Mve'll 
stake  it  out,  and  then  Pm  o.^ino-  to  Dawson  to 
lileit." 

•'  Are  you  sure  tliere  is  -old  here  r  asked 
Koswell,  in  some  excitement. 

''  Ves,  r  hit  it  this  tiiii(>.  We  nmsm't  lose 
any  days  in  stakin-  ii  (,,,t,  or  somebody  else 
will  get  ahead  of  us." 

The  assurance  of  dell'  iniparle  I  conlidence  to 
the  rest.  The  stakes  \rere  cut  and  driven,  ac- 
cording to  the  rule  alrearly  stated,  and  then 
Jeff  breathed  more  fi'eely. 

"  We've  got  sixty  days  to  lind  the  stuff,-  he 
said,  -and  nobody  daren't  say  a  word  tons. 
All  the  same,  I'm  going  to  Dawson  to  file  the 
claim  and  make  things  dead  sure. " 
"  When  wiU  vou  ('•o  -"' 
*'  Now,    right   off.     r    want   to    brin^-   back 


^<« 


4 


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THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


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■  h 


some  things  with  iru\  ;in<l  Til  be  gone  two  oi- 
three  clays,  but  I  won't  lose  no  time.'* 

Jeff  was  OIK ^  ol"  those  men  who  do  not  require 
long  to  make  Uj>  th(Mr'  minds,  and  whom,  having 
reached  a  (h^eision,  nothing  can  turn  aside  from 
its  execution.  Ten  minutes  later  he  was  hurrv- 
in«»'  toward  Dawson  Citw  fortv  miles  or  more 
distant. 

rnasnmcli  as  Tim  ]\[cCabi'  iiad  practical 
knowledge  of  placei'  mining,  the  three  decided 
to  impi'ove  tlie  time  wliile  .lell'  w.is  absent  in 
taking  out  somc^  of  the  gold  whicli  lie  assured 
the]n  was  there. 

As  has  been  ex[)lain<Ml,  this  form  of  mining 
is  of  the  crudest  and  chea})(3st  nature.  In  win- 
tiM',  after  sinking  a  shaft  to  beil-rock,  tunncds 
are  run  in  dilfei'init  dii*(H'tions,  and  the  frozen 
<lirt  piled  up  until  warm  weatlier  permits  its 
was'nng  otit.  The  <listanee  to  bed-rock  varies 
fi'om  four  to  twenty  feet.  The  g(jld  is  found 
in  dust,  <2:rains,  and  im^'<'-ets,  tlie  last  vai'vinii' 
from  the  size  of  a  hickory-mit  or  larger  to  small 
grains  of  pure  gold. 

It  (piite  often  occms  that  the  bed-i'ock  is 
seamy,  with  many  small  <l(;pressions.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  when  tlie  ^A-'/z/x containing  t  le  oi'ig- 


THE  CLAIM. 


173 


inal  gold  swept  over  this  bed-rock,  the  great 
weiglit  of  the  metal  caused  it  to  fall  and  lodge 
in  the  ci'e vices,  where  it  has  lain  for  ages. 
Certain  it  is  that  the  richest  finds  have  been 
made  in  such  places. 

Having  fixed  upon  the  spot  where  the  work 
should  be«:ir>,  Tim  McCabe  and  the  bovs  set  to 
woi'k  to  clear  off  the  coarse  gravel  and  stone 
from  a  patch  of  ground.  At  the  end  of  sev- 
<M'al  hours  they  had  completed  enough  to  begin 
operations.  Tim  dropped  a  few  handfnls  of 
the  finer  gravel  or  sand  into  his  pan,  which  was 
a  l)road,  sliallow  dish  of  sheet  iron.  Th'Mi 
water  was  dipped  into  the  pan  until  it  was  full, 
when  he  whirled  it  swiftly  ab(^ut  and  up  and 
down.  This  allowed  the  gold,  on  account  of 
its  greater  specific  gravity,  to  fall  to  tht^  l)ot- 
toni,  while  the  sand  itself  was  floated  off  by  the 
iigitation.  Tim  had  learned  the  knack  of  dip- 
{)ing  the  pan  sideways,  so  as  gradually  to  get 
rid  of  the  worthless  stuff,  while  th-^  heavy  yel- 
low particles  remained  below. 

The  bovs  stood  attentive) v  watchinfii'  the 
operation,  which  was  car-ried  on  witli  such  akiil 
that  l)y  and  by  nothing  was  left  in  th(>  bottom 
l>ut  the  yelk)W  and  black  particles.     The  latter 


Hi 


4 

♦I 
^1 


■  ( 


a 
■  i\ 


\\ '. 


■i 


rw 


174 


77//;  i'OiryG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


were  pulvx'i'izcd  m;i<;-iietic  iron  ore,  which  ahnost 
always  accom.piiiiius  the  gold.  Frank's  and  Ros- 
well'seyes  spai'kled  as  they  saw  so  mucli  of  the 
yellow  particles,  even  thouoji  it  looked  almost 
as  fine  as  the  black  sand. 

"  How  will  you  separate  them  ?''  asked 
Frank. 

"  Xow  ye'll  obsarve  thcj  use  that  that  cask  is 
to  be  put  to,''  replied  Tim,  "if  ye'll  oblige  me 
bv  flUino^  the  same  with  water." 

This  was  done,  wIkmi  Tim  flung  about  a 
pound  of  mercury  into  the  cask,  after  which  he 
dumped  into  it  tlie  bhick  and  yellow  sand.  As 
soon  as  the  gold  came  in  contact  Avith  the  mer- 
cury it  formed  an  amali'"am. 

"  This  will  do  to  start  things,"  said  Tim. 
''  AVlien  we  have  enougii  to  make  it  pay,  we'll 
squaze  it  tlirough  a  buckskin  bag. " 

"  What  is  the  result  T' 

"  Xearly  all  the  mercury  will  ooze  througli 
the  bag,  and  we  can  use  the  same  agin  in  the 
cask.  The  impure  goold  will  be  placed  on  a 
shovel  and  hekl  over  a  hot  fire  till  the  mercury 
has  gone  olT  in  vapor,  and  only  the  pui'e  goold 
is  lift,  or  rather  .there's  just  a  wee  bit  of  the 
mercury  still  hanging   'bout   the  goold  ;    but 


THE  CLAIM.  ,-, 

1/5 

ckTho  hl,n..  or  ti.is  claim  ai,,-t  tl,o  o„lv 
""ngtluit  takes  l.i.u  to  r),uv.,o„rifv- 

''What  do  you  think  of  the  <l,,p.«it],eror' 

^  >f»-"'t'«<>'.e  of  the  richest  lin.ls  in  the 
Klo„„,hL-e  eounHnv,  an.l  if  it  tu.ns  out  as  a 

P---,.e.hall.,,ho,„ea„dhvehi.eg,n 
men  the  rist  of  our  lives.' '  ° 


\ 


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CHAPTEK  XVIII. 


A    (iOLDKN    HARVEST. 


)  1 


I'lflf 


Tim  McCAiiio  miuI  tlio  boys  wrought  steadily 
through  the  rest  of  tlio  (hiy  jind  tlie  following 
two  (hivs.  luasi>ia''li  as  tin?  sunniuir  sun  in  the 
Klondike  region  docs  not  thaw  the  soil  to  a 
gj'eater  dei)tli  tha  n  two  I'eet,  it  was  necessary 
to  ])ile  wood  upon  the  earth  and  set  it  afire. 
As  this  gradually  dissolved  the  frozen  ground, 
the  refuse  dirt  was  cleared  away,  so  as  to  reach 
paying  earth  or  gravt^l.  The  results  for  a  time 
were  disap])ointing.  The  gold-liunters  secured 
a  o'ood  deal  of  vellow  o-rains  oj'  dust,  and  or- 
dinarily  wouhl  have  been  satisfied,  but  natu- 
rallv  thev  were  trreedv  for  more. 

t.  v  O  1. 

There  came  times  of  discouragement,  when 
the  boys  began  to  doubt  the  truth  of  the  won- 
derful stories  that  had  roaclied  them  from  the 
Klondike  I'cgion,  or  they  thought  that  if  per- 
chance tlie  repoi'ts   werti  ti'ue,  they  themselves 

and  their  friends  had  not  bit  upon  a  productive 
176 


spot.     Tim,  when  nppealerl  to.  had  little  to  s-n- 
ta  ,t  was  of  a  hopof,,!  nature.      It  u-ouM  havo 
>een  unnatural   ha.l  he  not  been  absorbed   in 
the  work  in  hand. 

That  there  vvas  gold  ,vas  un.leniable,  for  the 
m-Klence  .-as  continnally  before  then,,  b„t  tl,e 

question  was  u-lK.ther  it  uas  to  be  found  in, , av 
'ngqunntitie,s  upon  their  ,.h,i,„.      .\ttheelose 
of  the  seeond  .lay  all  they  ha,l  gathered  was 
not  worth  ten  <lollars. 
But  the  harvest  rewarded  them  on  the  third 


dav 


'"1   Avjis    working'   hard   and 


1 


■henhe  suddenly  leaped  to! 
lis  pick,  and  Imrlino.  i,is 


SI 


lently 


danci 


ng  a  jio-  and  sini>'in(»' 


boys  looked  at  I 
whether  he  had  bidd 


»i«  feet,  fiuno-down 
cap  in  the  air,  began 
an  Irish  (Httv.     The 


(( 


Do 


i"ii  ni  aiiiazenient,  w 
en  go(>d-b\r  to  his 


onderi 
senses 


n 


§• 


^toppi 


yo  obsarve  that  beauty  >-   he  asked 


ng  short  and  holdin. 


as  lai 


'ge  as  tlie  one  tile  bovs  had  tal 


up  a  yellow  nuffo-ot 


66' 


i)i'ooiv  several  days  bef( 
Imrried   up   to    hiin 


\^('\\  from  the 
>i'e.     Uoswell  and  Fraiik 


Ther) 
and 


could  l>e  no  doubt  that  it 
^vorth  several  hundred  doll 


UK  I   examined  the  pr 


ze. 


was  virgin  gold 


Twenty  minutes  lat( 


:irs. 


to    hurrah,  for   1 


»'  it  was  Roswell's  t 


urn 


le   came    upon   one   ahnost 


(X-:, 


^■4 


1/ 


rl 

.     1 

\    1 

'1 ' 

.'"l 

,' 

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J|     : 

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Id' 

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178 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


)    ' 


I' 


lar<^e.  And  ho  did  liurrah,  too,  and  his  friends 
joined  in  with  a  vlgov  that  coukl  not  bo  criti- 
cised. Congratulating*  (jno  another,  tin?  three 
paused  but  a  few  minutes  to  inspect  the  finds, 
when  tliey  were  (Uggino'  iiarder  than  ever. 

"  1  think  it  is  my  turn,''  remarked  Frank  ; 
"  you  fellows  are  becoming  so  proud,  that  if  I 
don't  find — by  George,  F  ham  found  it  f^ 

Incredible  as  it  seemed,  it  was  true,  and 
Frank's  prize  was  larg<n'  than  any  of  the 
others.  Instantly  thev  \\(M'e  ;it  work  a^ain, 
glowing  wit) I  hope  and  (h'liglit.  Xo  mor»^ 
nuggets  were  taken  out  tiiat  day,  but  the 
gravel  revealed  greater  richness  than  at  any 
time  before. 

Jeff  Graham  put  in  an  appearance  while  they 
were  eating  supper,  and,  to  tlie  surprise  of  all, 
he  was  riding  a  tough  little  burro,  whicli  lie 
had  bought  at  Dawson  for  five  hundred  dol- 
lars. His  eyes  sparkled  when  lie  leariKMl  what 
had  been  done  during  his  absence,  but  he 
quietly  remarked,  *'  I  knowed  it,"  and  having 
turned  his  animal  loose,  after  unloading  him, 
he  asked  for  the  paiticulars. 

Althougii  it  was  ([uite  cold,  tlie  four  remained 
seated  on  tli(^  l)o^\  i(l(>rs  outsider  of  their  primi- 


ir 


.1    GOLDEX  II Any  EST,  179 

tlve  fhvolling,  th(^  mon  smokino«  tlieir  pi,)(^s  .nid 
^liscussino-  tI,o  Nvcndorfi.I  success  thev  Juul  had, 
and  the  still  o-roater  tliat  Nras  fairlv  ^nthin 
their  or-as]). 

''  We're  not  so  much  alone  as  I  thou«vlit  ''  re 
^narked  Jeff,  -  for  there  are  fiftv  niinc^-s  to  the 
east  and   north,   and  some  oi:'  them  ain't   far 
from   u'iiere  weVe  staked  out  our  chtlm,  and 
more  are  comin^-  " 

"Tliey  can't  interfere  with   us  f'    was  the 
incjuiring  remark  of  Roswell. 

"  Xot  much.  As  a  rule,  folks  d(,n't  lih^  tlieii- 
claims  till  tlieyVe  struck  onto  a  spot  wherc^  tlie 
yaller  stuff  sliows;  but  I've  done  l)otli,  V'ause  I 
wassart.n  that  we VI  hit  it  rich.  If  anybody 
tried  to  jump  our  claim,  the  first  thing  IM  do 
would  be  to  shoot  him  ;  tlien  I'd  turn  him  over 
to  the  mounted  j)olice  tliat  are  looking  after 
thmgs  a  1 1  th  I'oug]  1  tl  1  is  country. ' ' 

"Ye  mane   that  y^ ^  turn  over  what  was 
lift  of  his  remains,"  suggested  Tim  gravely. 

"  rt  would  amount  to  that.  Things  aro  iu 
better  shape  here  than  they  ^vas  in  the  old  times 
in  Calif orny,  where  a  man  had  to  fight  for 
what  he  had,  and  then  he  wasn't  always  able 
to  keep  it." 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


«^ 


33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER, NY.  M580 

(716)  872-4503 


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TIIK  rorwa  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


)    ' 


?»; 


I'iltll 


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m^\ 


"  "Wliiitdo  you  intend  to  do  with  the  burro  ?" 
asked  I*' rank. 

"  Let  him  I'un  loose  till  we  need  hiin.  He? 
])r()nght  ;i  pui'ty  n'ood  lo.id  of  sneli  thin»^s  as  we 
want,  and  I'm  lioj)inL;'  he'll  luive  another  kind 
of  lojid  to  take  back,'*  was  the  sig-niticant  reply 
of  the  old  miner. 

This  was  tlumeai'i^st  Jelf  ea.meto  ]")articulars. 
His  natural  rciserve  as  ti>  what  \u}  had  done  and 
concerniuL;'  his  |)lans  Utv  the  I'uture  priivented 
any  furthei  enlight'.'nment .  Tlu;  fact  that  they 
had  neighbors  at  no  great  <listan(.'e  was  both 
ple;ising  and  displeasing.  Despite  the  assur- 
ance of  their  leader,  thei'i^  was  souk^  misgivin"' 
that  wIkmi  the  richness  of  the  find  became 
known  an  attempt  would  Ix?  made  to  rob  them. 
Gold  will  incite  many  men  to  commit  any 
crime,  and  with  tlu^  vast  recesses  of  the  Rocky 
l\[ountain  spui'  behind  them,  the  criminals  might 
be  ready  to  take  des))ei'ate  chances. 

It  was  hardly  light  the  next  morning  when 
the  party  were  at  it  again.  The  pan  or  hand 
method  of  washin'^  thci  gold  is  so  slow  and 
laboi'ious  that  with  the  help  and  superinten- 
dence of  Jeff  a  ''  rockei'"  was  set  up.  This 
was  a  l)ox  about  three  feet  long  and  two  wide, 


H 


i-i€ 


[f 


A  Goi.DHx  i[Anvb:sr 


IM 


iimde  in  two  part^.  TIk'  iippor  ))art  was  shal- 
low, with  a  sti'on;^'  slK.'ot-ii'on  l)(»tt()m  perfo- 
rated with  (|ua,i'lLM'-iiicli  ImKs.  In  the  middle 
<d'th('  otIuM'  part  of  ih(>  Ix.x  was  an  inclined 
shelf,  which  sloped  downward  {i\v  sixorei'dit 
inches  at  the  lower  end.  Ovei-  this  was  placed 
ii  piece  of  heavy  woollen  hianket.  tla^  whole 
beini^ mounted  uj)on  two  rockers,  like  those  of 
an  ordinai'V  child's  cradle.  These  were  i-esti'd 
on  two  stroiiii'  blocks  of  wo(;d  to  i)erinit  of  theii' 
IxMU;^'  rocked  readily. 

This   device   was   ])lac(.Hl    beside  the   I'Uniiin"' 
stn^am.      As  the  pay  dirt  was  shovelle<l  int»)  the 
ui)piM' shallow   box,  one  of   the   p;iily  rock(Ml  it 
with  one  liand    whih^   with  the  other  Ik?  ladl(>d 
water.      The    line    particles    willi   the  gold    fell 
through  the  holes  npon  tlu?  blanket,  whi(.-h  held 
the   <^-old,    while    the    sand    and    other   mattcM- 
<,dided  over  it  to  the   bottom  of  the  box.  which 
was  S(j  inclined   that   what  j)asse(l   throuuh  was 
washed  down  and  finally  out  of  the  l)ox.     Thin 
slats  were   fixed   across  the  bottom  of  tin.'  box, 
with  mercuiy  behind  them,  to  catch  such  parti- 
cles  of  <^r(,l(l  as  (?sc:iped  the  blank  .'t. 

The  stuf!"  (big-  up  by  our  fi  iends  was  so  nu"-- 
gety  that  many  lumps  remaineil  in  the  upper 


<4 


\\     \ 


n 


I  it 


i»' 


rrr 


182 


ruK  ^'or.v.';  gold  skereus. 


,» I 


»   ' 


I 


'■1! 


box,  \vlici'(3  thc'V  were  dctiiiiU'd  l)Vtli('ir  wci'-lit, 
while  the  lig'litcr  stulF  i>jiss(mI  tlii'c>u;j;'li,  and  the 
siiiidlL-r  lumps  were  licld  l>ya  deeper  slat  at  tli(» 
further  end  oi  the  ])()ttom  of  tlu;  hox.  When 
the  blaidvet  becjiiiie  sui'cluirged  with  wealth  it 
was  remoN'ed  and  I'iused  in  ii  barrel  of  water, 
the  partieles  aiualgainatiiiy"  with  the  mercury 
in  the  bottom  of  the  l)ai'rel. 

Sluiciu*^'  recjuins  j»lenty  of  running  water 
v.'ith  considerable  fall,  and  is  two  or  thiee  times 
as  rapid  as  the  method  just  described,  but  si  nee 
it  was  not  ado])ted  by  our  friends,  a  descri])tion 
need  not  be  given. 

At  the  end  of  a  week  Jeff,  with  the  help  of 
his  companions,  made  ii  careful  estimate  of  the 
nuggets  and  sand  which  they  had  gathered 
and  stowed  awav  in  the  ca\'ei'n  where  they 
slept  and  took  tlieii'  meals.  As  nearly  as  they 
could  figure  it  out  the  gold  which  they  had  col- 
lectetl  was  worth  not  (juite  one  liundred  th(>u- 
sand  dollars— very  fair  wages,  it  \\'ill  h;'  con- 
ci'ded,  for  six  days'  woi*k  by  two  men  and  two 
boys.  On  Sunday  they  conscientiously  al)- 
stained  from  labor,  though  it  can  hardly  be 
said  that  their  thoughts  wvva  elsewhere. 

Since  one  liundred  thousand  doUars  in  gold 


.1  uoLDEX  ii.\nvi:sr 


183 


weighs  in  the  ndgliboriuMxl  of  roiii-  limuUvd 
pounds,  it  will  bo  seen  tliat  tlu;  ])arty  had  al- 
ready  aecumuhUed  a  g(jod  load  to  l)o  (hstrihiited 
among  tlieniselves.  It  may  liave  been  tliat  tlio 
expectation  of  this  result  caused  Jeff  to  brin*'- 
the  burro  l)ack,  for  with  his  ]i('l[)  it  Avould  not 
be  hard  to  carry  <lou))k'  the  amount, cspeciallv 
as  everything  dst^  windd  be  left  beliind. 

To  the  surprise  of  his  Iriends,  Jclf  announced 
that  it  was  necessary  for  him  to  make  anothei' 
visit  to  Dawson  City.  It  was  important  busi- 
ness tliat  called  him  thither,  l>ut  lie  gavr  no 
hint  of  its  nature.  He  ho])ed  to  be  back  within 
two  or  three  days,  and  he  dcpart('<l  on  foot, 
leaving  the  animal  to  recuperate,  and,  as  lu^ 
grhnly  added,  "  make  himself  stronii'  enou<di 
to  carry  a  good  load  to  town.*' 

Jeff  left  eai'ly  m  the  morning.  The  after- 
noon was  about  half  gone,  when  Tim  with  an 
expression  of  anxious  concern  announced  that 
he  had  just  rcmcnduM-ed  sonu^thing  which  re- 
quired him  to  go  to  Dawson  without  an  hour's 
delav. 

"  It's  queer  that  I  didn  t  think  of  the  same 
while  Jiff  was  here,'"  he  said,  -'so  that  he; 
might  have  enj'yed  the  plisure  of  ine  society, 


*1 


■ill 


"•' 


;  i 


li 


184 


Tin:  YOU  Mi  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


1  '     ! 


but  it  won't  l)(3  lijird  t'oi"  iik^  to  liiul  liiiii  al'ter  I 
git  there.  Ye  bves  wont  bii  scai'ed  of  being 
lift  to  versilves  fur  ii  U)\\'  davs  f  lie  asked 
with  so  nuieh  earnestness  that  tliev  hastened  to 
assure  liini  he  need  liave  no  misgivings  on  tliat 
j)oint, 

*'  We  shall  keep  hard  at  it  while  you  are 
away,  ))ut  sinee  Jeff  is  also  absent  we  shall  be 
lonelv." 

''  Luic  fur  me  verv  soon.  Til  advise?  Jilf  to 
make  ve  an  extra  ahowance  for  ver  wurruk 
while  liim  and  me  is  doing  nothing."' 

Two  hours  alter  the  de})arture  of  MeCabe, 
Frank,  who  was  working  the  roeker  while  his 
chum  was  shovel lini;'  in  tli(^  dirt,  suddenlv 
stopped,  with  expanding  eyes. 

"  I  have  just  thought  what  Tim's  business  is 
at  Dawson.'' 

"What  is  it  r' 

''  It  is  his  longing  for  drink.  He  has  gone 
on  a  spree,  taking  one  ot'  his  miggets  with  him 
to  pay  the  eost.  J  elf  will  be  sure  to  run  across 
him,  and  then  there  will  be  music.'' 


CHAPTER   XrX. 

A    STAKTLlN(i    DISCi  )VKUV. 

The  weiithoi-  was  mild,  for  tlio  short,  oppress- 
ive Xorthwest  suiiiukt  was  rapidly  approach- 
ing.     Durino-   the   middle  of  tlie  day   the  sun 
was  hot,  and  tlie  boys   pcispired  fivt  Iv.      By 
and  by  would  coiiie  the  billions  of  nioscpiitoes 
to  render  lifV  unbeai-able.     Those  pests  often 
kill  bears  and   wolves  by   blindinu-  them,  and 
the  man  who  does  not  wear  some  protection  is 
driven  frantic,  unable  to  eat,  sleej),  or  live,  ex- 
cept in  smotherino-  smoke.     ,],^{\'  had  said  that 
he  meant  to  coni})lete  tlie  work,  if  ])()ssible,  and 
start  down  the  Vukoii  before  that  time  of  tor- 
ment arrived. 

For  two  days  the  boys  wrouglit  incessantlv. 
They  had  leai-ned  liow  to  wash  and  ])urify  the 
gold  in  the  crude  way  taught  tliem  by  the  old 
miner,  and  the  rich  I'eward  foi-  their  labor  con- 
tinued. Jeff  had  bi-ought  ])ack  on  his  i)revious 
visit  to  Dawson  City  an  abundant  supply  of 

185 


)H^ 


V 


fy 


i- 1 


i     ! 


i'f  i' 


m 


186 


TIfE   VOrxr;  noiD  SKKKFi:^. 


slroiiii"  canv.-is  hiiLis,  in  wliicli  tlu^  ii'old  was 
J)1;k'«'<1,  with  the  l<>j»s  securely  tied.  'I'h.'si'  Wi.'i'c 
regularly  dcposilcil  in  ihc  ca^mi  w  iiciv  the 
[)arty  liiadc  llicir  home,  until  a  row  ol"  tlieiii 
lined  one  side  of  the  phiee.  It  was  a  strikin*^ 
prool'  ol'  the  wonderl'nl  riehiiess  of  theii'  find, 
that  one  of  these  ba^'s  was  lilh'd  wliolly  with 
nuii'i>'ets,  which  must  have  been  worth  iil'teen 
or  twenty  tiiousaiid  doihii's. 

Karlv  on  the  afternoon  of  the  third  dav  an- 
utlier  thouiilit  struelv  I'rank  .\[ansk'y,  and  he 
ceased  shovellin<j'  iiravel  into  the  rocker  for  liis 
coin})anion. 

''  What  is  it  now  i"'  asked  Ttoswell  with  a 
sniih\ 

'•  Don't  vou  remember  that  on  tlie  first  ihiv 
we  arrived  here,  while  we  were  ])rospecting-  u]) 
the  little  stream,  we  saw  that  friend  of  Ike 
llanhnan  ?" 

'*  Yes,  of  course." 

"  AVell,  we  never  told  Jeff  about  it." 

"I  declare!"  (^claimed  Roswell.  ''How 
came  we  to  forget  it?"* 

*'  This  gold  drove  it  out  of  our  minds.  I  never 
thouo'ht  of  it  until  this  minut(\  I  tell  vou,  Ros- 
well,  I  believe  something  has  gone  wrong. " 


r  f 


'ir 


A   STAUILIXO  DISCOVERY. 


187 


And  Fnmlv  s;it  down,  removed  liiscap,  and 
\vi[)(nl  his  moisl  forolioad  with  his  handker- 
chief. 

"  Wiiat  could  iiave  ;^one  wi'ono-  C  asked  the 
olhei'  lad,  wlio.  despite  his  jaiintiness,  shared 
111  a  deo-iv(»  the  anxiety  (jf  Ids  tViend. 

••  All  the  li'old  we  liave  n-;,th(.'i'e<l  is  in  tlie 
(•iivern.  I  helieve  Ilai'dman  and  those  fellows 
at'(5  in  the  neio-Jihoriiood  and   mean  to  steal  it/' 

•'  It's  a  pity  we  didn't  think  of  this  helore," 
said  Uoswell,  laying  down  his  shovel.  "  Let's 
.yu  back  to  the  cavern  and  keep  watch  till  ,](}['[ 
comes  hack.-' 

Inspiivd  hy  their  new  dread,  thev  hastily 
.gathered  iij)  what  gold  had  been  washed  out, 
stowed  it  into  another  canvas  bag,  and  then 
Frank  slung  it  half  filled  over  his  shoulder  and 
started  for  the  cavern,  something  mure  than  an 
eighth  of  a  mile  away. 

riiey  walked  fast  and  in  sil.Mice,  for  the 
thought  in  the  mind  of  Ixjti;  was  the  same. 
From  the  lirst  the  most  imprudent  carelessness 
had  be(m  shown,  and  they  could  not  understand 
how  Jeff  ever  allowed  the  valuable  store  to  re- 
main unguarded.  It  is  true,  as  lias  already 
been  stateil,  that  the  section,  despite  the  rush 


;i 


<^ 


1  h  ' 


\       \ 


188 


THE  VoryO  GOLD  SKKKKliS. 


)    ' 


!  i 


of  lawless  cliaractci's  that  have  flockiMl  tliither, 
is  one  of  the  best  govenieil  in  the  woi'ld,  and 
no  oifieers  could  he  niorc^  watch  fill  and  dfective 
than  the  mounted  ])r)li('(>  ol  the  Xoilhwest;  hut 
the  course  of  our  friends  had  much  the  a|)|»ear- 
ance  of  a  man  leavint*'  his  pocki'thook  in  the 
middle  <jf  the  street  and  expecting*  to  find  it 
again  the  next  day. 

A  bitter  rellc^ction  of  the  hovs  was  that  this 
never  W(juld  have  been  th(3  case  had  they  told 
Jeff  of  the  presence  of  the  suspicious  individual 
in  the  nei«>-hl)orhood.  If  anvthini»"  went  amiss, 
they  felt  that  the  blame  must  rest  with  them. 
If  matters  were  found  right,  they  would  not 
leave  the  ctivern  until  one  or  both  of  their 
fi'iends  returned. 

When  half  tlie  distance  was  ])assed,  Bos  well, 
who  was  in  the  lead,  broke  into  a  lope,  with 
Frank  instantlv  doino-  the  same.  A  minute 
later  they  had  to  slacken  their  })ace  because  of 
the  imcd  to  climb  some  bowlders  and  make 
their  way  through  an  avenue  between  massive 
rocks,  but  the  instant  it  was  j)ossible  they  were 
trotting  again. 

It  had  been  the  custom  for  the  gold-seekers 
to  take  a  lunch   with  them   to   the  diggmgs. 


^1    START LISG  DlscvVKIiV. 


Ibd 


This  saved  time,  '.uul  their  real  nu.il  was  eaten 
»n  the  eveninu.  alter  th.Mi-  return  honie. 

The  inoiiient  lioswell  caught  si-ht  <.[  the 
round,  ii'.vo-uij„.  „,H3nino-  which  scrwd  as  thr. 
<^>"^' <>r  their  du'dhn-hc  anxinusly  seinim.!  ii 
and  the  pile  of  u„,m1  ,,Md  enihers  on  theoul- 
shle,  where  the  Ihe  was  kindled  i'nv  cnukuur 
purposes.  The  fact  that  he  snw  novhing.  aniis^ 
gave  him  hope,  hut  (hM  not  remove  the  Jno-ula, 
<listrust  that  liad  h.-on-ht  hotli  in  such  haste 
ft'om  tiie  dio'o-ijvrs 

He  ran  faster,  while  Frank,  (hscommoded  by 
the  heavy,  houncin-  ba-  ov^v  his  shoulder, 
stumbled,  and  Ids  hat  fell  off.  Witii  un  im- 
patient exclamation  he  caught  it  uj),  recovered 
hims(^lt;  and  was  off  again. 

As  he  looked  ahead  he  saw  Roswell  duck  his 
head  and  plunge  through  the  opening. 

^'Is  everything  right?"  shouted  Frank, 
whose  dread  intensified  with  each  passing 
second. 

Before  he  could  reach  the  door  out  came  his 
cousin,  as  if  fired  by  a  catapult.  His  eves  were 
staring  and  his  face  as  white  as  death.  ^ 

'^Hight!"  he  gasped;  ''we  have  been 
robbed  !     All  the  gold  is  gone  !'" 


% 


1 1 


11)0 


TlIK  YOUXa  HOLD  SEEKERS, 


>    ' 


i 


1 1 


II 


And  ovcrcniiic  by  the  sliock  tlio  poor  fellow 
collapsed  and  saidv  to  the  ground  us  weak  as  a 
kitten.  Frank  let  the  ba;"-  fall  and  straight- 
ened  up. 

"  No  ;  it  cannot  be,"  lie  said  in  a  husky 
voice. 

"  Look  for  y<,-u]\self,"  i-eplied  Roswell,  swal- 
lo\vin<^a  lunjj)  in  his  tlii-oatand  turnhif^  his  eyes 
])itirully  toward  his  comrade. 

A  strange  feai'  held  Frank  motioidess  for  sev- 
eral seconds.  Despite  tin?  startling  declaration 
of  his  cousin,  a  faint  hope  thrilled  him  that  he 
was  nn'staken,  and  yet  \\{\  dared  not  peer  into 
the  interior  throu<»'h  dread  of  findinof  he  was 
not. 

Reflecting,  howevei*,  U[)on  tlie  childish  part 
\\o  was  playing,  he  ])ullod  himself  together,  and 
with  th(5  delil»ei'ation  of  JeiF  Graham  himself 
bent  his  head  and  j)assed  tlir(jugh  the  door. 

F^nongh  suidight  penetrated  the  cavern  to  re- 
veal tli(»  whole  interior  in  the  faint  illumina- 
tion. When  thev  left  that  mornin":  the  row  of 
canvas  bags  was  neatly  arranged  alono:  the 
farther  wall,  where  they  stood  like  so  many 
corpulent  little  brownies. 

Every  one  had  vanished. 


A   STAHTUyo   DIStoVEIiY,  Juj 

FninkMi.nsirys(aiv.l  fora  MK.M.t'nt  ,n  sil.nr,. 

Tlw"nl,ost,,.,,,),Mll\,nvanl..,n,lr.-,II,.,lin.-,  stron- 
lll'Iil  Voice  : 

*'  ^''onic,  liosw'cll,  ((Hick  !" 

Tlio   otluT    nmsed    ],iniscir   u.ul    liastilv    a.l- 
■  v.iiu'od. 

"Take    vour    r,.volv(>r/'   saiM   Frank,   as  h. 
><l'<nv(l  l.is  OU.1  into  Inshii,-i,:,.k(.t,amll,..-un 

str.i,i,n...  JdFs  ca,trM;.e  beltanmn.l  l.is  m4i 
As  Uosu'oll  obeyed,  Jus  com  ,,n  t.,ok  the  Wi 

^•iHvster  from  u-lnM-e  it  leaned  in  one  corncn-. 

"  ^osv  J'or  tliose  tliieves,  an.]  we  don't  c( 

'>HC'k  tillweiind  them." 


in- 


coiiie 


'i 


\\\i 


w 


CHAPTER   XX. 


t  '      t 


THE   TRAIL    INTO    THE    MOUNTAINS. 


■  I       ■ 

'1  , 

,     1 

'.''  !            ' 

1 
1 

1     ■ 

\U\ 


u] 


On  the  outside  of  the  cavern  the  boys  halt- 
ed. After  the  shock  both  were  comparatively 
calm.  Their  faces  were  pale,  and  they  com- 
pressed their  lips  witli  I'esolution.  Some  time 
during  tlie  precedini^-  few  liours  tliieves  had  en- 
tered their  home  and  ('.'H'ricd  awav  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  in  i^oM  du^it  and  nuggets,  and 
the  youths  were  deti^nnined  to  regain  the  prop- 
erty, no  matter  what  dano-iM'  liad  to  be  con- 
fronted. 

But  the  common  simisc*  of  tlie  boys  told  them 
the  surest  wav  to  defeat  their  resolve  was  to 

« 

rush  off  blindly,  with  not  one  chance  in  a  thou- 
sand of  taking  t  u'  right  course. 

''  Roswc^U,  that  gold  weighs  so  much  that  no 
one  and  no  two  men  could  carry  it  off,  unless 
they  made  several  journeys." 

"  Or  there  were  more  of  them  ;  they  would 
hardly  dare  return  after  ono  visit.' ' 
192 


THE   TRAIL   INTO    THE  MOUNTAIXS.     193 

"  Wliy  not  ?     Hardman  (for  I  know  he  is  at 
the  bottom  of  the  business)  and  the  other  ro-ue 
have  been  watching  us  for  several  (Uiys.     Th(>\- 
knew  that  when  we  left  Jiere  in  the  inoniinn- 
\ve  would  not  come  back  till  nio-ht,  and  they 
had  all  the  time  tliey  needed  and  iiiueh  more.'' 
"  But  if  there   were  only  two,   iJiey  woukl 
have  to   keep   doubling   tlirir  journey,   and   I 
don't   believe  they    \vould  do  that.      Perhaps 
they  used  the  donkey. ' ' 
"Let's  find  out." 

The  burro  was  accustomed  to  graze  over  an 
area  several  acres  in  extent  and  enclosed  by 
walls  of  rocks.  Since  the  lirst-mentioned  bi-ook 
ran  alongside,  the  indolent  ci-eature  could  b(3 
counted  u])on  to  lemain  whcr.^  the  pasture  was 
succulent  ami  al)un<lant.  The  place  was  not 
far  off,  and  tlic  boys  hurriijd  thithei-. 

A  few  minutes  later  the  suggestive  fact  be- 
came apparent— the  donkey  was  gone. 

"  And  he  helped  tak(^  the  gold  I"  was  the  ex- 
clamation of  Frank.  -They  loaded  part  of  it 
on  his  back  and  carried  the  rest.  I  don't  believe 
they  are  far  oif." 

It  was  certain  the  thieves  luid  not  gone  in 
the  direction  of  the  diggings,  and  it  was  im- 


^% 


n 


ii 


i  I 


!•  J 


'  I 


!   , 


PTT 


194 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


)    ' 


P    ! 


•H 


1  : 


probable  that  tl)(3y  would  attempt  to  reach 
-Dawson  City,  at  least,  for  an  iiuleUnite  time, 
for  thev  must  have  known  tliat  »k'ff  (iraham 
and  Tim  McCabe  had  ^^owa  thither,  and  that 
there  they  were  likely  to  be  seen  and  recognized. 
At  any  rate,  it  would  l)e  hai'd  fin*  tliem  to  get 
away  through  the  town  for  a  considerable  period, 
during  wliich  the  grim  old  miner  would  msike 
things  warm  for  them. 

The  conclusion  of  the  boys,  therefore,  after 
briefly  debating  the  ])roblem,  was  that  the  men 
had  turned  into  the  mounta  ins.  These  stretched 
away  for  many  miles,  and  contained  hundreds 
of  places  where  they  would  be  safe  from  pur- 
suit by  a  regiment  of  men. 

''  But  if  they  took  tin*  burro,"  said  Roswell, 
"  as  it  seems  certain  they  did,  they  nmst  have 
followed  some  kind  of  a  path  along  which  "we 
can  pursue  them. ' ' 

"  Provided  we  can  find  it." 

They  were  too  niuch  stirred  to  remain  idle. 
Frank  Itnl  the  way  to  the  corner  of  the  enclos- 
ure wliicli  was  bisected  by  the  brook.  There 
the  moistened  ground  was  so  spongy  tliat  it 
would  disclose  any  footprint.  The  marks  made 
by  the  hoofs  of  tiie  burro  were  evervwhere,  and 


M: 


THE  THAIL  IX TO   THE  MOrXTAlXS.     195 

While  (3xai.iiiiii],o-  u-Imt  seemed  to  be  the  f res] i- 
est,  Kosu-ell  uiterednji  exchmiatioii. 

"  AVJiMt   is  it?"'  asked  liis  cousin,   hiirrvm-- 
to  J  lis  side. 

'M><>  you  see  that?"  askc.l  the  otliei-  iu 
tui'n,  ])ointiiio-  to  the  «^Tour.d. 

There  were  tlie  distinct  impressions  of  a  i,ai.- 
of  heavy  sl,oes.  Tlie  burro  iia.l  l,een  loaded  at 
the  brook,  or  his  neu'  masters  had  allo\ve<l  him 
to  (b-ink  before  starting  into  the  mountains. 

The  boys  took  several  minutes  to  study  the 
impressions,    nddch   appeared   in   a   mnnb^r  of 
places.     The  inspection  I)rouoht  an  interestino- 
truth  to  hoht.     One  set  of  imprints  n.ts  large! 
and  the  rioht  shoe  or  boot  had  a  broken  patch 
on  the  solo,    svhidi  showed  when  the  ground 
was   more   yielding   than   usual.      The ''others 
were  noticeably  smaller,  and  the  toes  pointed 
^•Imost    straight     forward,    like    those    of    a.n 
American  Indian.     A    minute  examination   of 
the  sod  failed  to  bring  any  other  peculiarity  to 
hght.     The  conclusion,  therefore,  was  that  only 
two  men  wei-e  concerned  in  the  I'obbery. 

The  problem  now  assunie.l  a  phase  uViich  dv 
manded  brain  work,  and  the  youths  met  it  svlth 
a  skdl  that  did  them  credit.    The  question  was  • 


<^. 


:. 


¥ 

i  ii 


ill 


106 


THE  YOUXG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


a 


K'\      9 


i?f  ! 


If  tli(^  IniiTo  WHS  loaded  witli  the  gold  at 
this  ])oiiit,  oi'  if  he  wjis  hnnight  hitlier,  which 
amounts  to  tlie  saiiu;  tiling,  where  did  he  and 
the  thieves  leave  th(?  enclosure*  ?"' 

Xeither  of  th(.'  l)()vs  liad  ever  felt  enou<di  in- 
terest  in  th(.'  animal  to  make  an  inspection  of 
his  pasturage  gi'ound,  and  tliei'<4ore  knew  noth- 
ing about  it,  hut  scrutinizing  the  boundaries, 
they  fixed  upon  two  gaps  or  openings  on  the 
faithiM*  side,  both  leadiuLr  ileep.er  into  the  moun- 
tains, one  of  which  th(W  believed  iiad  been 
used. 

"  Let's  tiy  the  nearest,"'  said  Roswell,  lead- 
ing the  way  across  the  comparatively  level 
space. 

There  the  ground  was  liiglier,  hiirly  dry  and 
ii'ravellv.  A  closc^  semtinv  failed  to  ivveid  any 
signs  of  distui'bance,  and  forced  them  to  con- 
clude that  some  othei'  outlet  luid  been  taken. 
Tliev  mad(^  haste  to  the  second. 

This  was  drier  and  moi'e  ^iravellv  than  the 
other.  While  the  soil  seemed  to  have  been 
distui'bed,  tliev  could  not  make  sure  whether 
or  not  it  was  bv  the  hoofs  of  an  animal,  but 
Frank  caught  sight  ol"  something  on  a  project - 
ingpointof  a  ro(k.  just  in  front.     Stepi)ing  fin- 


^ 


THE  TRAIL   L\T<f    Till-:   \i<>r\rAl\s      i;,; 

^\^*n•(l,  hr  i)liU'k(Ml  it  oil',  and  held  it  up  in  tiie 
light.  It  consisted  of  a  dozen  dark,  coarse 
ha  i  I's. 

"  That's  where  the  hurro  scra])ed  against  the 
rock,"  he  said.     "  We  are  on  their  path." 

Ill  their  eagerness  they  would  have  ki^jn  be- 
side each  other  had  not  the  passage  been  so 
nari'ow.  ( )rten  they  came  to  places  where  one 
would  have  declared  it  impossible  for  a  mule  or 
donkey  to  make  his  way,  but  there  could  be  no 
question  tliat  the  property  of  Jeff  Graham  had 
done  it.  Freciuently  he  sli])p3d,  and  must  have 
come  near  falling,  but  he  managed  to  keep  for- 
ward with  his  precious  load. 

Less  than  two  hundred  yards  distant  the  pur- 
suei's  came  to  a  depression  of  the  soil  where  it 
was  damp,  and  the  footprints  of  the  donkey 
and  the  two  men  were  as  distinct  as  if  made  in 
putty.  There  could  be  no  question  that  the 
boys  were  on  the  trail  of  the  despoilers. 

As  th(n^  advanced,  Frank,  who  was  in  ad- 
vance,  frequc^itly  turned  his  head  and  spoke  in 
guarded  tones  over  his  shoulder  to  his  cousin. 

''  They  are  pushing  into  the  mountains/'  said 
he,  "but  there's  no  saying  how  far  they  are 
ahead  of  us. ' ' 


i 


li 


'J 


\'i! 


I. 

f 


I'i 


(I 


i  ;■ 


198 


THE  YOU^^G  GOLD  HEEKEliti, 


'  I  !' 


!       1 


( ; 


■  I ' 


I  I 


1 1 


'*  No  ;  if  they  made  the  start  early  in  tlio 
morning,  it  would  give  them  a  big  advantage." 

''  I  beUeve  that  is  what  thoy  did,  knowing 
there  was  no  danger  of  our  returning  until 
night." 

' '  That  knowledge  may  have  made  them  slow. 
Anyhow,  they  are  not  travelUng  as  fast  as  we, 
and  we  must  overtake  them  before  long." 

A  few  minutes  later  Frank  asked  : 

''  Do  you  beheve  they  have  tliought  of  being 
followed?" 

"  They  must  know  tliere  is  danger  of  it. 
They  will  fight  to  keep  that  gold,  and  if  they 
get  the  first  sight  of  us  will  shoot. " 

'•  They  may  have  revolvers,  but  I  don't  be- 
lieve either  has  a  rifle.  We  will  keep  a  lookout 
that  we  don't  run  into  them  before  we  know  it 
and  give  them  the  advantage." 

This  dread  handicapped  the  boys  to  some  ex- 
tent. The  trail  was  not  distinctlv  marked, 
often  winding  and  precipitous,  and  compelling 
them  to  halt  and  examine  the  ground  and  con- 
sult as  to  their  course. 

While  thus  engaged,  they  awoke  to  the  fact 
that  they  had  gone  astray  and  were  not  follow- 
ing the  trail  at  all. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 


A   SOUND    FKUM    c»L  T    THE    STILLNESS. 

The  error  occurred  in  this  way  :  Tlie  trail 
that  the  boys  hfid  heen  assiduously  following 
was  so  faintly  marked  that  the  wonder  was 
they  did  not  go  astray  sooner.     In  many  phices, 
there  was  little  choice  as  to  the  route,^  because 
it  was  so  broken  and  crossed  that  one  was  as 
distinct    as    the   other.      Nevertheless,    Frank 
pressed  on  with  scarcely  any  hesitation,  until 
he  again  reached  a  depression  where  tlie  soft 
ground  failed  to  show  the  slightest  impression 
of  shoe  or  hoof. 

"My  gradous!"  he  exclaimed,  stopping 
short  and  looking  at  his  companion;  '' lion- 
far  can  we  have  gone  wron*'"?'' 


"  We  can  find  out  only  by  ret 


y 


urnmg,'    j-e 

plied  Roswell,  wheeling  about  and  leading  the 
way  back. 

They  Avalked  more  hurriedly  than  before,  as 

199 


'  I 

I 


1:1' 


ii 


I  'i 


200 


rilE  Y(K\\(i  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


1 

^   ■■'( 

•'  1 

1    : 

n 

• 

III 


a  person  naturally  (lues  wiio  feels  that  time 
is  precious,  and  ho  has  wasted  a  good  deal 
of  it. 

The  seai'ch  might  have  been  continued  for  a 
long  time  but  for  a  surpi'isiug  and  un(;xpected 
aid  that  came  to  them.  They  had  halted  at 
one  of  tlie  brok(3n  places,  in  doubt  whithei'  to 
turn,  and  seai'chi  it*-  for  some  si<!n  to  <^uide 
them,  when  Roswell  called  out  : 

"  That  beats  anything  T  ever  saw  I'* 

As  he  s[)oke,  ho  stooped  and  ])ickod  up  some- 
thing from  the  gi'ound.  Inspecting  it  for  a 
moment,  he  held  it  up  for  Frank  to  see.  It 
was  a  large  nn^^get  of  ])urc  gold. 

*'  These  mountains  must  b(3  full  of  the  metal,'' 
said  Frank,  "  when  wo  lind  it  Ivinu*  loose  like 
that." 

"  Not  so  fast,"  remarked  his  companion,  who 
had  taken  the  nuo-ii-et  a<'"ain,  and  was  tui'niniTf 
it  over  and  examining  it  minutely.  "  Do  you 
remember  that  ?" 

On  one  of  the  faces  of  the  i2:old  something 
had  been  sci'atched  with  the  point  of  a  knife. 
While  the  work  was  inartistic,  it  was  easy  to 
make  out  the  letters  *'  F.  M. " 

''I  think  I  remember  that,"   said  Frank; 


A  SOUXn  FROV  ofT  /V//,'  STirLXFss.     201 

"'^'  ''^  *""'  "'■  '"'•'  Hii-Mvts  [  r,»,ni(l  yrstrnlny. 
and  in;ii-k('(l  i(  u-it|,  u\y  initials.  Thuso  folks 
must  have  (hopped  it." 

Theiv  c;.uld  bo  no  doubt  of  it.  What  a.naz- 
in- ca.vlossn('ss  for  a  crmpkM>f  „,..„  to  (h-op  a 
cliunk  of  croh]  u'orth  several  hundivd  dollars 
and  not  nii>s  it  ! 

It  must  have  been  that  tlic^  mouth  of  the  can- 
vas bag  rontainino-  the  nugovts  had  i,eco.n,. 
opened  in  souh^  way  to  the  ext(Mit  of  allou-in- 
a  single  one  to  fall  out. 

''  I  wond(M'  ho^v  niany  more  have  been  lost/' 
mus(Ml  Frank,  lis  he  put  the  speeimen  in  liis 
pocket. 

At  any  rate,  it  served  to  show  the  right  course 
to  follow,  and  the  boys  pressed  o^,  looking 
more  foi-  nuggets  than  for  their  enemies.  The 
mishap  nmst  have  been  discovered  by  the  men 
in  time  to  prevent  its  repetition,  for  nothing  of 
the  kind  again  met  the  eyes  of  the  youths,  who 
once  more  gave  their  attention  tr/ hunting  for 
the  lawless  men  that  had  despoik^l  them  of  so 
much  propei'ty. 

The  trail  steadily  ascended,  so  bi-oken  and 
rough  that  it  was  a  source  of  constant  wonder- 
ment how  the  burro  was  able  to  keep  his  feet. 


'  I. 
I 


I 


ill 


202 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKEIiS. 


)    ' 


'i\ 


i:   r 


IS  ;    , 


i:. 

:'  i 

t  : 


u 


lie  must  liiivc'luid  some  exj)ei'ieiK'e  in  mountain 
cliin])iii;^'  before,  in  order  to  phiy  the  chamois  so 
well. 

The  l)oys  fiincied  they  could  feel  the  change 
of  teiupcniture  on  jiccount  of  the  increased  ele- 
vation,  They  kjiew  they  were  a  good  many 
feet  above  the  starting-point,  though  at  no  time 
Avere  they  able  to  obtain  a  satisfactory  view  of 
the  countiy  they  were  leaving  behind.  They 
seemed  to  bo  continually  passing  in  and  out 
among  the  I'ocks  and  bowldei's,  which  circum- 
scribed their  field  of  vision.  Considerable  pine 
and  hendock  gi'ew  on  all  sides,  but  as  yet  they 
(>nc(-)untei'e(l  no  snow.  There  was  plenty  of  it 
fai  thoi'  u])  and  beyond,  and  it  would  not  take 
them  long  to  roach  the  region  where  eternal 
winter  reioned. 

A  short  Avay  along  the  new  course,  and  they 
paused  before  another  break;  but  although  the 
<'Toun(l  was  drv  and  hard,  it  was  easv  to  follow 
the  course  of  the  burro,  whose  hoofs  told  the 
story;  and  though  nothing  served  to  indicate 
that  the  men  were  still  with  him,  the  fact  of 
the  three  being  in  company  might  be  set  down 
as  self-evident. 

It  would  not  be  dark  until  nearly  10  o'clock, 


A  SOUND  FROM  OUT  THE  STILLNESS.    i>u;i 

so  thu  imrsuers  still  had  a  u,,oclly  lun.ibei'  uf 
iiours  bd'oro  tliciii. 

A  peculiar  fact  annoyed  the  hoys  iii„re  than 
would  1,0  supposed.     The  ti-ail  Nvas  eonlinually 
\vindino.  in  j„id  out,  its  turns  so  numerous  that 
r.'ii'oly  or  never  u'eiv  they  ahle  to  see  nmre  than 
u  IVu'  rods  in  advance.      In  places  the  xvindin- 
was  incessant.     The  uncertainty  as   to  ho\v  1-n- 
they    ^vere    behind    the   donkey  and   the  men 
made  the  lads  fear  that  at  each  turn   as  they 
a[)proached  it,  they  u'ould  come  upon  the  party, 
who,  perha])s,   nii-lit  be  expectin-  them,  and 
would  thus  take  them  uiij)repared.      The  dread 
of  something  like  this  often  cluTked  the  boys 
aiKl  seriously  i-etarded  their  ])ronTess. 

"  We  may  us   well  understaml  one  thing," 
said  Fi-aidv,  as  tla^y  halte.l  again  ;   "you  hav,. 
heard  Jeff  tell  about  getting  the  drop  on  a  man 
Eos  well?" 

"  Ves  ;  everybody  knows  what  that  means." 

"  AYell,  neither  Mr.  Jlardman,  nor  his  friend, 
HOI'  both  of  them  will  ever  get  the  drop  on  us.'' 

The  Hashing  eyes  and  deteriiiined  expi-essicju 
left  no  doubt  of  the  lad's  eai-nestness. 

''  Is  that  because  you  cariy  a  Winchester  and 
they  have  oidy  their  I'evolvers  T 


r< 


i 

1  i 

■if 

:i  Hi 
HI 

i;it4 


rHI':  }<>(  AG  <^(}LD  shJh'Kh'US. 


"  It  would  iii.iki'  no  (lill'i'ivncL*  if  both  ol"  tliciii 
liad  I'itlcs. " 

rioswell  was  tlu)U^'htful. 

"  It  is  vc.TV  w'i'll,  Fi'jmk,  to  \)v  hi'avc,  l)ut 
tileries  notliiii*;-  ^^aincd  l>y  l)Uttin<^'  your  lu^ul 
an-jiiust  a  stono  wall.  Su|)]K)so,  how,  that,  in 
passin*,'  the  next  Ix'ud  in  this  path,  you  should 
see  llardnian  waitin«''  for  vou  with  liis  mm 
aimed,  and  lie  should  call  out  to  you  to  suii'on- 
der,  what  would  you  do?'' 

"  Let  fly  at  him  as  (juickly  as  I  could  raise 
my  <^un  to  a  level." 

"  And  he  would  shoot  before  you  could  do 
that." 

"  I'll  take  the  chances,"  was  the  rash  re- 
s])onse. 

"  I  hope  you  will  not  have  to  take  any 
chances  like  that — " 

They  were  talkin*^-  as  usual  in  low  tones,  and 
no  one  more  than  a  few  feet  a  way  could  have 
caught  the  murmur  of  their  voices,  l)Ut  while 
Roswell  was  uttering  his  words,  and  before  he 
could  complete  his  sentence,  the  two  heard  a 
sound,  so  faint  that  neither  could  guess  its 
nature. 

As  nearly  as  they  were  able  to  judge,  it  was 


A  SO  USD  FUOM  on  THE  STILLNESS,    205 

as  If  s..;ne  person,  in  u-jilkino-,  luul  struck  his  foot 
a--ainst.in  ..lKlnuMi<.n.  Ft  came  U^^mx  u  point 
in  front,  and  apparently  just  beyond  tlie  first 
l)end  in  the  t.-ail,  over  whicii  tliey  were  nuking 
their  wjiv. 

''  We  are  nearer  to  them  than  we  susjxM-ted," 
whispei'ed  Uos\v<'Il. 

''And  they  don't  kn.>\v  it,  ,,r  they  wmiMn't 
have  betrayed  themselves  in  that  manner." 
"  ft  isirt  safe  to  take  that  for  granted." 
Roswell,  after  the  lust  change  in  their  course, 
was  at  the  f,.)nt.     Frank  no\v   (piietly   moved 
l)eyon(l  him,  Winchester  in  hand,  and  ready  for 
whatever  might  come.     Confident  they   were 
close  upon  the  men  they  scmght,  he  was  glad  of 
the  misstep  that  had  warned  them  of  the  fact. 

There  certainly  could  he  no  excus(;  now  for 
Hardman  and  his  companicm  securing  the  ad- 
vantage ovcjr  the  boys,  when  one  of  them  held 
his  Winchester  half  raised  to  his  shoulder  and 
ready  to  fire. 

Within  a  couple  of  paces  of  the  turn  in  the 
trail  the  two  were  almost  lifted  off  their  feet 
by  a  sound  tliat  burst  from  the  stillness,  startling 
enough  to  fi'ighten  the  strongest  man.  It  wa"^ 
the  braying  of  the  buno,  not  fifty  feet  distant. 


f     ';! 


I    .    i 


i' 

M 


CHAPTER  XXII. 


A   TURNING   OF    THE   TABLES. 


H 

1 


1 

; 

ii- 

1 

I 

i 

The  boys  were  in  no  donbt  as  to  the  author 
of  this  startlino'  break  in  the  mountain  stillness. 
It  was  their  own  burro  that  had  given  out  the 
unearthly  roar,  and  they  were  confident  of  be- 
ing close  upon  the  trail  of  the  two  men  who 
were  making  off  ^\ith  the  gold.  But  a  moment 
later,  round  the  corner  in  front  of  them,  the 
donkey's  head  came  into  view,  his  long  ears 
flapping,  as  if  training  tliemselves  for  the  fight 
with  mosquitoes  that  would  soon  come.  The 
animal  was  walking  slowly,  but  the  astonishing 
fact  immediately  appeared  that  he  was  not  only 
without  any  load  on  his  l)ack,  but  was  unac- 
companied  by  either  Hardman  or  liis  confed- 
erate. 

Suspecting,  however,  they  were  close  behind 

him,  the  boys  held  their  places,  the  foremost 

still  on  the  alert  for  tlio  criminals.     The  burro 

came   forward   until    within   a   rod,    when   he 
206 


I- 1.-  -    f       ■ 


>: 


V-? 


^1   TUAWiyo   OF  THE  TABLES.         201 

seemed  tr,  become  axvare  for  tlie  first  time  <.f 
Che  jn-esence  of   Jie  yoiitlis  in   In's  patli.     Jle 
imlted,  tu'iddled  iiis  mbbit-like  ears,  loc>k(>d  at 
tlie    tu'o,    and    then   opened  ],is  moutli.     Tlie 
il^'xii^le  li,)s  fluttered  and  vibrated  u^ith  a  second 
tremend(.us  bray,  wliicli  rolled  back  and  forth 
^tmono-  t],e  mountain^   tlie  wheezing,  addendum 
niore  penetrating  than  the  first  part  of  the  out- 
burst. 

As  the  animal  showed  a  disposition  to  con- 
tinue his  advance,  the  boys  stepped  aside  and 
he  came  slowly  forward,  as  if  in  doubt  whether 
he  was  (loing  a  prudent  thing  ;  but  he  kept  on, 
and,  parsing  both,  continued  down  the  trail' 
evidently  anxious  to  return  to  his  pasturage. 

'^'  ^^'hat  does  it  mean  T'  asked  Rosweu! 

''  I  have  no  idea,  unless—' ' 

"What?" 

''  They  can't  make  any  further  use  of  the 
burro,  and  have  allowed  him  to  go  home.'' 

"  But  they  can't  carry  away  all  the  gold. " 
Then  they  are  burying  it.      Let' s  hurrv  on 
or  we  shall  be  too  late.''  '       ' 

Lowering  his  AVinchc^ster,  Frank  led  the  wav 

up  the  trail,  slackening  his  pace  as  he  reached 
the  bend,  and  partly  raising  his  weapon  ...„n 


208 


THE  YOUyG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


t    t 


Rocks  and  bowlders  were  all  around,  but  the 
trail  still  showed,  and  the  donkey  could  have 
travelled  indefinitely  forward,  so  far  as  the  boys 
could  see.  Xowhere  was  anything  detected  of 
the  two  men. 

^'  They  may  have  turned  the  burro  loose  a 
half  mile  off,"  said  Frank,  chagrined  and  disap- 
pointed beyond  ex[)ression. 

His  companion  warned  him  to  be  careful,  as 
he  began  pushing  forward  at  a  reckless  rate,  as 
if  fearful  that  the  men  would  "-et  awav  after  all. 

Just  beyond  the  ])oint  where  the  burro  had 
appeared  the  path  forked,  each  coui'se  being 
equally  distinct.  The  boys  scrutinizerl  the 
ground,  but  could  not  decide  from  what  direc- 
tion the  animal  had  come.  Had  they  possessed 
the  patience,  they  might  have  settled  the  ques- 
tion by  kneeling  down  and  making  t  leir  scrutiny 
more  minute;  but  Frank  could  not  wait. 

''  Pll  take  the  right,"  he  said,  "  while  you 
follow  the  left.  If  you  discover  uither  of  them, 
shoot  and  shout  for  me." 

It  mav  be  doubted  whether  this  was  wise 

ft 

counsel,  and  Roswell  did  not  feel  himself  bound 
by  it,  but  he  acted  at  once  upon  the  sugges- 
tion.     His  wcii poll    wiis  ill   Ills  giasp  as  lie  hur- 


-1   TVTtXIXG   OF  TUE  TABLES.  209 

rie<l  over  tlie  path,  ,.,,,1  the  cousins  were  quioklv 
lost  to  each  other. 

The  inspiring-  h.centivo  to  both  bovs  «-as  the 
Oread  tiiat  they  u-ere  too  late  to  recover  the 
ffolcl  that  had  b,.c„  stolen.  Sh.ce  its  u-ei-ht 
»-as  too  great  fo,.  a  <.„up!,.  „C  „ie„  to  carry,  the 
natural  presuu.ptio,,  u-as  that  thev  ha,l  buried 
or  woul.l  bury  it  i„  so.mc  secu,v>  place,  and  re- 
turn when  it  M-as  safe  to  tal;,.  it  a^vay. 

Because  of  thi.s,  Roswell  Palnwr  sliarply 
scrutmized  every  part  of  his  field  of  vision  as 
>t  opened  before  Imn.  There  were  numerous 
breaks  in  the  path  ^^•hich  permitted  hini  to 
look  over  a  space  of  s,.ve>.ai  rods,  and  again  he 
could  not  see  six  feet  from  him. 

Reaching  an  ..artliy  part  of  the  trail  he 
leaned  over  and  studied  it.  'n„.,e  ^vas  no  si<.n 
of  a  hoof  or  footprint,  ° 

"  The  burro  did  not  con>e  this  far,"  ,vas  his 
conclusion  ;  "  I  am  wasting  time  by  wander 
mgfrom  Frank." 

He  was  in  doubt  whether  to  turn  or  to  ad- 
vance  farther.  He  had  paused  among  the 
bowlders,  where  little  was  visible,  and,  con- 
vmced  of  his  mistake,  he  shoved  his  wea,,,on 
back  m  his  pocket,  so  as  t,i  give  him  the  freer 


III 


h    ■ 


il 


! 


fii 


!    I 


210 


riiK  Youya  gold  seekers. 


I'M 


use  of  his  hands,  and  turned  back  over  the  trail 
along  which  lie  liad  just  come. 

lie  had  not  taken  a  (h)zon  steps  when  he 
was  checked  l)V  tlie  most  startling  summons 
that  could  come  to  him.  It  wasa^gruff  "  I^ands 
up,  younker  !'' 

Tt  will  be  recpJietl  that  Roswell  was  le?  nead- 
strong  than  his  cousin,  as  he  now  demonstrated 
by  his  prompt  obedience  to  the  command,  which 
came  from  ar.  immense  rock  at  the  side  of  the 
))ath,  partly  behind  him. 

Having  elevated  his  hands,  the  youth  turned 
to  look  at  his  master.  One  glance  at  the  coun- 
tenance w\as  sufliciont.  He  was  the  individual 
^vhom  Frank  had  seen  secretly  talking  with 
Ilnrdman  on  tin?  boat  that  carried  them  from 
the  head  to  the  fo(jt  of  Lake  Lindeman,  and 
whom,  both  had  seen  on  the  day  of  their  arrival 
in  this  neighborhoorl. 

Roswell  Palmer  now  displayed  a  quickness  of 
wit  that  would  have  done  credit  to  an  older 
head.  His  revolver  ho  had  placed  in  a  pocket 
on  the  side  of  him  that  was  turned  away  from 
the  man,  and  it  will  be  remembered  that  the 
lad  had  placed  it  there  before  receiving  the 
])oremptory   simimons   to   suri-ender.      In    the 


ill 


HANDS  IP,  VOl'NKER  !" 


if 


'  I 


!      I 


i!|i^ 


A    TURXIXG   OF  THE   TABLES.  o^ 

liope  that  his  captoi-  was  not  nu-.-uv  that  lie 
<-^;me(lanyiiroa,-ins.  Rosu-oll  k..,,r  il.nt  part  of 
Jus  l)(K]y  fartlicst  from  him. 

Theiiiau  was  staiKh'no-  ut  the  si.l,^  of  tho  rock 
^vith  a  similar  weapon  in  his  o-.-asp,  .Mn.l  sliowed 
tliat  ]),'  was  (3latcHl  oxxn-  tho  cIovlt  mann(>r  in 
which  ho  ha<l  o-otton  tlip  b,^st  of  ||„.  youth. 
ffisown  weapon  was  not  pointed  at  hi'm,  hnt 
iiekl  so  that  it  could  he  raised  and  used  on  the 
instant. 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  treatin-  ,ne  thus 
when  I  am  walkin-  ])oaceal)ly  tln'ou-h  the 
mountains,  otferino'  harm  to  no  on,^  ?"'  asked 
Roswell  with  an  injured  air. 

"  What  ai-e  you  doing-  ju^'e  anyway?"  de- 
manded the  other,  whose  unpleasant  face  indi- 
cated that  he  did  not  lully  o.,asp  the  situation. 

"  ^Ey  friend  an<l  [  set  out  to  look  for  som^ 
men  that  have  stolen  our  gok].  Rave  you  se(>n 
them  ?" 

This  sounded  as  if  tlie  boy  liad  no  suspicion 
of  the  feUow  before  him,  and  taking  his  cue 
th('r(>froni,  he  said  : 

*'  ^'''  :    1    don't    know    anytliing  about   it. 
Did  they  juin})  your  claim  ?" 

'*  We  had  the  gold  among  the  i-ock«  where 


1.1 


f^t; 


ii'  ! 


I    .11 


212 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SKEKERS. 


we  live,  but  when  we  came  home  to-day, 
we  found  tliat  somc^  persons  had  been  there  and 
taken  it  all." 

Something  seemed  to  strike^  the  man  as  very 
amusing.     Tl(^  broke  into  laughter. 

''  You  can  put  down  your  hands,  my  son,  if 
you're  getting  tired." 

'' You  won't  shoot?"  asked  Ros\vell  in  pre- 
tended aJarm. 

"  Not  much,"  re]-)lied  the  other,  with  a 
laugh  ;  ''I  haven't  a  charge  in  my  weapon 
nor  a  single  cartridge  with  me;  but  all  the 
same,  I'll  keep  an  eye  on  you.'' 

'*  Not  doubting  your  word,  I  have  to  infonn 
you  that  my  pistol  is  loaded,  and  I  now  shall 
take  charge  of  you. " 

As  he  spoke,  Eoswell  producctl  his  w^eapon, 
and  the  other  was  at  his  mercy. 


CHAPTKR   XX ni. 


PLOTTING  AND  SdlKMTNO. 


To  put  it  mildly,  the  man  was  astonished. 
Not  droainino-  tlic  Ix.y  was  aniKMl,  hr  had  hiM-ii 
foohsh  enough  t.»  aunoiinfc  that  he  had  l)rou<dit 
him  to  tei'ius  by  thi'  (h'splay  of  a  useless  weajK)!!. 
He  stared  in  ain:izement  at  Roswell,  iind  then 
elevated  both  hands.      Tlie  bov  l<*iu<died. 

''Yim  needn't  do  that  ;  I  am  not  afraid  of 
you.  Tf  you  will  lead  mc  to  the  spot  whei-e 
you  and  IIar(bnan  hid  our  o-old,  I  Avill  set  you 
free." 

''I  don't  know  anvthino'  about  vour  o-old'' 
whimpered  the  fellow,  who  now  pi'oved  himself 
a  coward.     "  T  was  only  jokin-^-  with  vou." 

"You  ;iMd  he  took  it.  T  shall  hold  vou  a 
prisoner  until  my  fri(Mid  comes  up.  and  then 
turn  you  over  to  the  mounted  police." 

''AH  right:  if  it  is  a  square   deal,    follow 


me, 


^1 


Tie  turned  and  dartcMl  behind  the  I'ock.      The 

213 


ill 


a 


•  r 


I 


214 


TiiK  youya  aoLu  skkkkus. 


!! 


youth  made  iiftcr  him,  hut  \\\\v\\  lie  cunie  in 
sight  of  tlio  fug'itivi'  ;ii^";iiti  lie  \v;i  •;  (it'ty  feet  dis- 
tant, and  riinninii'  hke  ;i  ^\crv.  IV't'haps  Kos- 
well  might  have  winLi'ed  liim.  hut  Ik;  (hd  not 
ti'V  to  do  so.  lie  feh  a  nnturnl  re])UL!'nance  to 
doing  a  thing  of  that  nature,  und  the  fact  was 
self-evident  that  it  would  do  no  good.  The 
man  would  stui'dilv  insist  tliat  he  knew  nothinii" 
of  the  missini*'  i^'old,  and  thei'e  eould  be  no 
actual  proof  that  ho  did.  Tlad  h(^  been  held  a, 
prisoner  he  might  liavo  been  foreeil  ti»  terms, 
hut  it  was  too  late  now  to  thijd<  of  that,  and 
the  vouth  stood  motionless  and  saw  him  dis- 
a]'>pear  among  tlici  I'oeks. 

"  I  wonder  how  Frank  has  made  out,"  was 
his  thought.  '•  IFe  can't  have  done  worse 
than  T.^' 

Meanwhile,  youno-  ]\[anslev  had  no  idle  time 
on  his  hands.  He  had  hurried  u])  the  fork  oi 
the  trail,  after  parting  with  his  companion, 
until  he  hail  passed  about  the  same  distance. 
The  two  paths,  although  diverging,  did  not  do 
so  to  the  extent  the  bovs  thoui>'ht,  and  thus  it 
came  about  that  thev  were  considerai)lv  nearer 
each  other  than  they  su[)posed. 

It  need  not  be  said  that  Frank  was  on  the 


PLOTTiyt;  AM)  SCUKMiyo. 


215 


alert.  Su.s[.•ec'tiIl^'  he  was  iii  the  vicinity  of  the 
men  for  whom  they  were  searching-,  he  paid  no 
attention  to  the  ,i;Tounil,  hut  <^lance(l  keenly  to 
thcM'i^'ht  and  left,  and  even  hehind  him.  IJc; 
was  thus  eii^-ai^cd  when  something'  moved  his 
side  a  ei'a«4;L:y  mass  of  rocks  a  httle  wa\  ahead 
Jind  sH-htly  to  the  ri-lit  of  ihe  path  hv  was 
i'oliowing.  A  seeond  look  showiMJ  the  (.hicrt 
to  he  a  man,  and  thoun-h  his  back  was  towariJ 
the  lad,  his  dress  atid  ovucjal  appeai-auee  left 
little  doubt  that  he  was  Hardman. 

His  attitude  was  that  of  listeniiii;-.  Jlis 
shoulders  wei'e  thrown  slio-htly  I'oi'ward,  and 
heg-avea  cpiiek  flirt  of  his  head,  whieh  brought 
his  profile  foi-  the  moment  into  view.  This  re- 
moved all  doubt  as  to  his  identity.  It  was  Ike 
Hardman. 

Frank\s  lirst  thought  was  that  he  was  stand- 
ing  near  the  spot  where  the  g()l(l  \^.^^]  ij^.,.,^ 
secreted,  and  was  looking  aj'ound  to  maiv(^  sure 
no  one  saw  him,  l)ut  it  may  have  been  he  heard 
something  of  the  movements  of  his  confederate 
that  had  escaped  Iloswell  Pahnei-. 

Afraid  of  being  detected,  Kranlc  crouched 
behind  the  nearest  bowlder,  but  was  a  second 
too   late.      Hardman    had    obsei-ved    him,   and 


I 


» 


I 


H 


h    i     1 


iii 


M 


ii 


216 


THE  YOUya  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


was  off  liki'  a  Hash.  To  Fnuik's  iimazeiiierit, 
when  he  looked  lor  liiin  ho  was  gone. 

Deterinined  not  to  lose  him,  the  youth  ran 
forward  as  fast  as  the  nature  of  thi^  ground 
would  permit.  Reaching  the  soot  where  he 
had  lirst  discovered  the  man,  h(.'  glanced  at  the 
surroundings,  but  could  sei;  nothing  to  indicate 
that  the  gold  had  heen  hidden  anywlnM-e  near, 
though  the  ])robal)ilities  pointi'd  to  such  being 
the  fact,  for  it  nuist  have  hiuMi  in  that  vicinity 
that  the  buri'o  was  turnetl  free. 

But  the  bov  felt  the  necessitvof  bi'in}2in«.c  the 
man  himself  to  terms,  and  with  scarcelv  a  halt 
he  hurried  over  tli(^  bowlders  and  around  the 
rocks  in  what  h(^  believed  to  be  the  right  direc- 
tion, though  he  had  ..  •  <x;rtain  knowledge  that 
such  was  the  fact. 

lie  was  still  cbunbering  forward,  panting, 
impatient,  and  ani:-i'v,  when  a  iiiiure  suddenlv 
came  to  view  a  little  wav  in  advance.  Frank 
abruptly  stopped  and  bi'ought  hh  ^i,un  to  a  level, 
but  before  lie  could  aim  he  ])erceived  to  his 
amazement  that  it  n^as  his  cousin  Itoswell  stand- 
inof  motionless  anil  lookinij,'  with  wonderment 
around  him.  A  moment  later  the  two  came 
together  and  hastily  exchanged  experiences. 


PJ(>TTI\0  AyhsraE^/J.\o. 


L'17 


"  W(.  haw  Mia«K>  ;,  MK'ss  <,r  it,"  ^y,^^  the  diy. 
.i^usteclco.nnuM.t  <>f  Frank,  -to,-  n-^Uiadthem 
lH)th  and  let  tliein  got  awav." 

'^  All  the  same  w,.  must  1„.  near  the  spot 
Nvliorothe  gold  ^vns  hidden,  and  I  l,eiie\XMve 
can  find  it  l)y  seareliin"-  '' 

"  We  may,  but  tho  ehances  are  a  hundred  to 
-ne  against  it.  IIou-  strange  that  those  tu'o 
men  carried  no  firearms  !'' 

It  has  been  shovvn  that  the  Ivl,.ndike  country 
i«  n :.t  one  of  dangerous  weapons,  i^ecause  it  is 
well   governed,  and    the    necessitv,    th(3relV,re 
does   not   exist   for  men   to   go   about  armed! 
Many  of  them  mupi.vstionably  earrv  pistols,  but 
larger  n-eapons  are  hnv,  and   th<>  majority  have 
neither,  for  they  only  serve  as  incumbrances 
Strange,  therefore,  as  it  may  seem,  Jlardman 
and  his  companion  had  but  a  single  i-evolver 
between  them,  and  tlu^  man   who  carried  that 
spoke  the  truth   when  he  said  ail  its  chambers 
were  empty  and  he  was  without  the  means  of 
loading  it. 

The  great  oversight  of  the  two  was  that 
when  they  entered  the  cavern  and  took  away 
the  gold,  they  left  the  Winchester  and  re- 
volvers.     This   may   have   Ixvm   due   to   thcM'r 


! 


i 


li 


(!t 


«       .1 


218 


Tin:  Yovsn  aou)  sehkeus. 


i 


w 


\  I 


eagerness  to  cjjvry  ort'  every  ounce  of  gold,  but 
the  commonest  pi'udence  would  have  suo'frested 
that  tlioy  "  spike'''  the  weapons,  so  as  to  pre- 
vent th(?ii'  bein!4'  used  against  them. 

A  brief  consultation  eauseil  the  bovs  to  de- 
cide  to  return  to  the  cnvern  and  await  the  re- 
turn of  tlieir  friends.  Tlu^n  the  whole  party 
could  take  up  the  search,  though  it  seemed 
almost  hopeless. 

Disheartened,  thev  started  down  the  trail, 
Frank  in  advance  and  b.)ih  silent,  for  their 
thoughts  were  too  (h 'pressing  for  expression. 
Suddeidy  the  leader  stopped  and  I'aised  his  hand 
for  his  companion  to  do  the  same.  The  cause 
was  a])[);u'ent,  for  at  that  mom(»nt,  in  round.ing 
a  bend  in  the  path,  they  saw  Ike  llardnian  in 
front,  moviuix  stealthilv  in  the  same  direction 
witli  themselves,  but  tlie  rogue  was  watchful 
and  cauii'lit  sii'-lit  of  them  at  the  same  moment. 
As  before,  he  was  olf  hlc"'  an  ari'ow,  the  wnid- 
ing  trail  allowing  liim  to  })ass  iVom  sight  in  th(; 
twinklin<j:  of  an  eve,  as  mav  be  said. 

It  may  be  doubted  whether  two  boys  ever 
felt  bluer  tiian  Frank  Manskn'  and  his  cousin, 
Iloswell  Palmer,  for  it  looked  to  them  as  if 
after  making  the  most  remarkable  success  in 


PLOTTING  AND  SCHLWING. 


219 


I'i 


its  way  that  can  be  imagined,  they  had  made 
a  still  more  striking  failure.  The  veteran 
miners  had  stayed  with  them  in  this  corner  of 
the  Klondike  region  until  they '' struck  it  rich," 
and  then,  when  everything  was  going  well 
had  iett  the  youths  to  themselves  for  a  while, 
with  the  sad  result  that  has  been  shown. 

It  mattered  not  that  sober  reasoning  could 
lind  an  excuse  for  the  misfortune  that  had 
come  to  them,  so  far  as  their  part  in  it  was 
concerned.  Xo  doubt,  Jeff  and  Tim  would 
agree  that  the  fault  was  really  with  the  Irish- 
man  for  having  brought  tlie  ingrate  Ike  Hard- 
man  with  them,  when  his  character  was  well 
known.  It  would  be  just  like  the  kind-hearted 
Californian  to  take  the  bhinu^  upon  himself  for 
not  having  turned  the  scamp  loose  while  on 
the  road  to  the  g()lcl  region,  and  after  all  doubt 
of  his  rascality  had  been  removed. 

All  the  same,  these  reflections  could  not 
lessen  the  shame,  humiliation,  chagrin  and  self- 
accusation  of  the  two  lads,  for  tlie  fact  stared 
them  in  tlie  face  that,  after  hnvin.'  duo-  a  for- 
tune  from  the  ground,  they  had  allowed  it  to  be 
stolen  from  them.  AVhat  irritated  them  per- 
haps more  than  the  simple  truth  itself  was  the 


>\  1 


liliO 


THE  YOl'NG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


recollection  of  the  way  in  which  the  thieves  had 
escaped  them,  when  the  boys  had  them  really 
in  their  power.  Frank  and  Roswell  were  as 
certain  as  they  (^ould  be  of  anything  in  the 
world  that  they  were  near  the  spot  where  the 
gold  was  liidden,  and  yet  to  all  intents  and 
purposes  were  a  tliousand  miles  from  it.  The 
criminals  had  been  warned  and  slight  indeed 
would  be  their  cunning,  if  they  now  allowed 
themselves  to  be  outwitted. 

For  fullv  live  minutes,  the  two  sat  silent  and 
motionless,  each  a  prey  t<>  his  own  gloomy 
thoughts.  Then  Roswell  turned  toward  his 
chum  and  aske(l  in  a  low  voice : 

"  I  guess  the  best  thing  we  can  do,  Frank,  is 
to  give  it  up." 

"  And  then  do  what  ?  " 

"  Go  back  to  iho.  di^-iifin^-s  and  bemn  work 
over  ugain.  Those  fellows  haven't  gotten 
away  with  all  the  gold  in  the  Klondike.'' 

'*  They  have  gotten  away  with  our  share, — 
ihai'to  certain." 

"  That  is,  all  that  we  have  taken  out  of  the 
ground  ;  there  is  more  left." 

"  I  don't  know  about  that ;  it's  running 
pretty  light  now.     Oh,  of  course  there's  some 


PLOTTiNc,  Ayrj  sciiEuiNo.  221 

left,  but  I  don't  believe  tliat  vvhen  ^ve  have 
.'elT  and  Tim  to  help  us,  we  slmll  be  able  to 
get  one-half  of  what  we  had  in  the  cabin." 

"  Well,"  said  tlie  other  with  a  sigh,  "  I  feel 
as  bad  us  you,  but  wliat's  the  use  o'f  Irying  to 
ilo  anything  when  you  can't  do  anything «  " 

Franlv  turned   and  looked  in  the  face" of  his 

friend, 

"  What  are  yoix  driving  at,  anyway  ?  What 
do  you  really  think  it  best  to  do  ?  '^ 

"  I'm  ready  to  try  anything  you  nlsh,  but  it 
strikes  me  the  best  course  is  to  go  back  and 
peg  away  as  if  nothing  had  happened." 

''  And  give  up  all  hope  of  getting  our 
monev  ? " 

"  I  won't  say  that,  but  we  have  tried  to  catch 
the  thieves  and  failed ;  so  why  not  wait  until 
Jeif  and  Tini  return  I  " 
"  When  will  they  return  ? " 
"  They  may  come  back  to-day  or  to-night." 
"  And  maybe  not  for  a  week ;  Tim  hasVne 
down  to  Dawson  on  a  spree,  which  he  intends 
shall  make  up  for  the  days  and  weeks  he  has 
been  sober,  and  when  he's  once  started,  T  don't 
believe  Jeff  can  make  him  put  the  brakes  on 
for  a  good  while." 


i'i 


r  i 


\ 


I  ill 


222 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


ii 


I  ; 


"  You  don't  know  Jeff  Graham,  Frank." 

"  I  think  I  ha\^e  been  acquainted  with  him 
as  lono'  us  you." 

"  I'll  admit  tluit  I  don't  know  him  either, 
but  F've  heard  father  and  mother  talk  about 
him  after  he  had  l(»ft  our  house.  Father  says 
it  takes  a  good  deal  to  get  him  mad,  and  he 
doesn't  believe  he  averages  one  such  spell  in 
three  years ;  but  i!*  his  temper  is  aroused,  he's 
worse  than  a  tio^er.  .  'u  the  Indians  attacked 
the  train  he  was  with  nnd  killed  so  many,  Jeff 
was  a  young  man,  but  ho  got  mad  clean  through, 
and  even  his  own  friends  were  afraid  of  him. 
Did  you  ever  hear  your  mother  say  anything 
al)out  the  time  that  JefT  formed  a  vigilance 
committee  in  the  gold  diggings  during  the 
early  days  of  California  ?  " 

"  Never  heard  a  word  of  it,"  replied  Frank, 
interested  for  the  moment  in  the  words  of  his 
companion. 

"  An  old  miner  named  Bill  Zeigler  spent  an 
evening  at  our  house  last  winter ;  he  had  been 
with  Jeff  in  the  gold  diggings  a  good  many 
years  ago,  and  he  said  he  had  seen  him  mad 
twice.  The  gamblers  got  so  bad  that  Jeff 
started  a  vigilance  committee  to  clean  them 


PLOTTIXG  A.SD  SCHEMING.  223 

out.     One  night,  a  suiootii,  oilr-faced   fellow 
came   into  cam,.,  bringing-  a   little   bov  who 
«-as  a  cripi.le,  and  so  .lelicatc  that  iie'didn't 
look  as  if  he  u-o»l,l  live  more  than  a  feu-  weeUs 
Tlie  man    u-as  a,  gambler,   but  as   he   plaved 
square,  no  objection  ivas  made  to  l,is  presence. 
"  ^-''  ""'•  '>y  't  oame  out  tliat  he  re.-nlarh- 
beat  the  poor  little  fellou-.  who,  hesai.l,  washis 
son.     Jeff  found  hi,n  crying  one  tin.e  in  the 
cabm  where  they  n>ade  their  qnarter.s,  and  he 
coa.xed   him   after  a   time   to   show   his   thin 
shrunken  anns  an,l  Lgs,  which  were  covered 
"■ith  bruises  and  scars  that  the  brute  of  a  father 
bad  made. 

"  Well,  as  the  old  miner  told  father,  the  sio-ht 
made  Jell'  mad.     He  hunted  out  the  gambL-, 
told  him  what  he  h.ad  learne.l,  and  in  a  voice 
"s  soft  as  either  of  our  mothers'  warned  the 
father  he  mustn't  strike  his  boy  again.     The 
mistake  the  fellow  made  when  he  heard  Jeff 
speak  so  low,  was  that  he  didn't  notice  Jeff's 
eyes.     The  gambler  said  with  a  sneer  that  the 
lad  was  his  own  and  ho  reckoned  he  didn't  want 
any  advice  as  to  how  ho  should  manao-e  him 

"  Jc^ff  didn't  say  anything,  but  less  than  a 
week  later,  not  having  seen  the  cripple  of  whom 


! 


:( 


t; 
■  ''■ 

;l 

I? 


i 


224 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


>    ' 


I  I 


he  had  become  I'ontl,  he  dropped  into  the  cabin, 
lie  found  the  poor  lad  had  died  that  morning 
and  the  body  was  alone.  Jeff  carefully  looked 
him  over  and  made  sure  that  his  death  had 
been  caused  by  tlie  cruelty  of  his  father  and 
then  he  went  out  and  hunted  him  up.  He  said 
he  didn't  think  it  was  necessary  to  call  the 
vigilance  committee  together,  as  he  would  at- 
tend to  the  matter  himself,  and  the  old  miner 
told  father  he  did  it  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
the  rest." 

"  That  is  all  very  interesting,  Roswell,"  said 
Frank,  "  but  what  has  it  got  to  do  with  this 
business  of  ours." 

"  Only  this :  it  shows  what  Jeff  is  liable  to 
do  wlien  he  gets  mad.  As  soon  as  he  learns 
of  what  Ike  Ilardman  and  the  fellow  with  him 
did,  I  think  he  will  be  mad." 

"  And  will  do  a  good  deal  more  than  either 
or  both  of  us  ? " 

Koswell  nodded  his  head. 

"  That  may  be,"  said  his  cousin  thoughtfully, 
"  but  I  don't  understand  how  getting  mad  is 
going  to  make  a  man  do  something  impossible. 
If  we  were  sure  that  Jeff  would  be  back  to- 
day I  should  say  wait  for  him,  especially  after 


PLOTTING  A:^li  scuKmNO.  225 

the  failure  wo  have  n.u.le,  but  if  he  happens  to 
delay  cou,i„,.  f,,,.  ,  ,,e„,.    „,,„„^,„  ^^^  ^^ 
partner  will  be  beyond  reach." 
"  Then  what  (1„  you  propose;" 
"That  u-e  .levot,.   the   .vst  of  the  dav  and 
perhaps  to.„,orrow  to   running  those  fdlows 
<ou-n.     Vyeareb„than„e,landthevarenof 
■    -e  get  the  drop  ou  then,  aj,aiu,a;thev  call' 
>tin  th,s  part  of  the  worhl,   we-ll  keep  it '" 

saul  Frank   with  a  eon,pressionon,is  lips  and 
a  flash  of  his  eyes. 

"  I'.n  ready  to  hack  you  up,  but  thev  know 

what  we  are  trying  to  do  and  will  be  ;„  their 
guard." 

"  Tliat's  to  be  expected  ;  therefore,  we  shall 
try  to  show  a  little  n,ore  sense  than  we  have 
thus  far.  It  strikes  me  that  we  n,ust  separate, 
for  two  boys  can  be  seen  and  ^vatched  much 
better  than  one." 

"I  think,"  said  Roswoll,  with  a  smile,  "  that 
-t  we  looked  as  snndl  as  we  feel,  thev  wotddn't 
be  able  to  see  us  with  a  microscope  ;  but  there's 
a  good  deal  that  must  bo  un.lerstood  before 
we  start  in.  I  shouldn't  wonder,"  he  said, 
ra>s,ng  l„s  head  and  looking  keenly  around, 
If  they  are  watching  us  this  very  minute." 


226 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


)    ' 


1  . 

'  i    ■ 

"  Like  enou<^ii,"  ivplif^l  Frank  indifferently; 
"  we  will  start  toward  homo,  as  if  we  bad  given 
up  the  whole  thing  as  a  bad  job,  and,  when  we 
are  sure  they  have  taken  their  eyes  off,  we'll 
start  in  anew." 

Iloswel!,  wlio  had  been  so  hopeless  and  dis- 
couraged, caught  the  infection  of  his  cousin's 
bravery  and  sprang  to  his  feet. 

"  Good !  don't  let's  waste  any  more  time,  for 
it  is  too  valuable." 

The  two  started  down  the  trail  side  by  side, 
Frank  carrvin<j^  !  s  Winchester  over  his 
shouhler,  neither  looking  to  thv  right  nor  left, 
after  each  had  cast  a  sweeping  glance  around 
him.  Thev  saw  nothino^  of  the  roo'ues  and 
their  own  d(Miieanor  was  such  that  if  the 
men  were  \v  atching  them,  as  was  probably 
the  fact,  they  would  be  likely  to  conclude 
that  the  dejected  youths  had  given  up  in 
despair. 

But,  as  Roswell  intimated,  there  was  con- 
siderable to  be  understood  before  venturing 
upon  their  original  method  of  running  down 
the  thieves.  This  was  especially  true,  since 
they  were  to  jmrt  company. 

"They  will  be  likely  to  do  the  same  thing," 


PU)TTL\G  AX  I)  SCHEMING. 


227 


said  Fnmk,  "unci  it  will  help  i,s  if  thoy  do,  for 
it  will  bo  a  hard  job  fur  either  of  us  to  hold'two 
inon,  even  if  they  have  no  weapons.  There 
are  a  good  ,Hany  chances  for  them  to  dodge 
out  of  reach,  and  I  could  never  shoot  a  person, 
unless  I  had  to  do  it  to  save  my  own  life." 

"  Nov  could  I,"  added  lioswell ;  "  T  have  read 
in  stories  of  shooting  persons,  as  if  their  lives 
were  of  no  more  account  than  so  many  wild 
animals',  but  1  tell  you,  IVank,  u'e  could  never 
feel  that  way.  I  should  rather  lose  every 
ounce  of  our  gold  than  kill  either  of  the  thievJs 
who  stole  it." 

"  So  wouhl  1;  I  u'ouldn't  have  the  death  of 
one  of  them  on  my  hands  for  all  the  gold  in 
the  Klondike,  but,"  exclaimed  Frank,  "  I'll 
make  the  biggest  kind  of  bluff  I  know  how, 
and  if  it  cani(3  to  the  worst,  I  could  wing  Hard' 
man  or  the  other  fellow." 

"^^o  one  would  blame  you  for  that,  and  I'm 
ready  to  do  the  same.  What  l)others  me,  how- 
ever, is  how  if  one  of  us  corners  either  of  the 
fellows,  he  is  going  to  get  the  help  of  the 
other." 

"  Why  should  he  need  it  ? '' 

"  I  don't  know  ;  there  isn't  much  use  of  fio-ur- 


t  i 


228 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


)  ' 


ing  on  that,  U)r  we  can't  tell  how  mixed  mat- 
ters will  become.  I  sup])ose  the  best  phm  is 
for  each  of  us  to  work  as  if  tlie  other  weren't 
anywliei'e  near." 

"  We  may  lind  ourselves  so  placed.  It  seems 
to  me,  if  one  of  us  should  locate  the  gold,  he 
ought  to  fire  his  pistol  or  riHe  as  a  signal  to 
the  other.  You  have  scn^eral  chai'ges  in  3'our 
revolver,  as  1  have,  and  my  Winchester  is  a  re- 
peater, so  we  can  spare  the  shot.  If  you  hear 
my  gun,  you  must  hurry  to  me." 

"  AVe  may  be  so  far  apart  that  I  won't  bear 
it." 

"  Then  you  needn't  burry.  Here's  the  way," 
said  Frank  animatedly,  "  when  either  of  us  is 
ready  to  signal,  he  will  lire  bis  gun  or  revolver, 
as  it  may  be,  and  shout.  The  other  will  answer 
and  lose  no  time  in  going  to  bim.  That's  as 
plain  as  the  nose  on  your  face." 

So  it  would  seem,  and  yet  it  is  not  to  be  won- 
dered at  that  the  two  youths,  when  involved 
for  the  first  time  in  so  peculiar  a  situation, 
should  fail  to  see  many  contingencies  that 
were  likely  to  arise,  and  against  which  all  their 
precautions  would  prove  powerless.  As  they 
viewed  it,  everything  necessary  bad  been  ar- 


PLOT  1 1. \  a  AM)  sciiEMiyo. 


'2'JO 


ranged,  wIhmi  in  l;ic(  ilie  most  important  essen- 
tials \\v\v,  ovcrloolcLHl. 

Arter  pronrc'ssiiio-  lo^  perhaps  lialf  a  mile, 
and  iindiiin.  themselves  still  among  the  bonl- 
ders,  i-oelcs  and  rouoh  portions  of  the  trail, 
Frank,  who,  Hko  his  companion,  liad  been' 
thinking  as  ucll  as  talking  hard,  said  : 

"Just  below  us,  as  you  will  remember,  there's 
something  like  a  by-path  that  puts  olF  from 
this;  we'll  take  that." 

'M  thonght  we  were  to  part  company." 
"  So  we  are,  but  not  right  awav." 
Just  before  reaching  tin.'  point  they  had  in 
mind,  the  two  stopped  and  looked  in  turn  to- 
ward  every    point   of    the   compass.     Ddiind 
them  rose  the  rugged  spur  of  the  Rockv  ]\[onn- 
tains  in  winch,  as  has  been  said,  a  party  of  men 
might    hide   for   weeks    from   a   regiment   of 
mounted   police.      If  the   thieves  could   once 
penetrate  that  wild  region  with  the  stolen  gold, 
they  ought  to  be  safe  from  pur  ,/t;  but""  the 
theory   involved  several    practical  difliculties. 
In  case   irardman  and  his  comrade  did  bury 
themselves  in  those  recesses,  carrying  the  prj. 
cious  metal  with  them,  it  would  not ''pay  them 
to  spend  their  lives  there,  for  in  that  case  the 


1^ 
If 

'I 


it 


I 
I, 


t  ! 


T-r 


230 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SKEKERS, 


f       * 


l\i 


gold  would  be  of  no  more  advantago  than  so 
mi\ch  coniinon  sand  or  pebbh's. 

To  enjoy  the  fruits  of  their  crime,  they  musi. 
reach  a  civilized  country  and  they  were  not 
the  ones  to  content  chemsolvcs  away  from  the 
haunts  of  vice  and  the  opportunities  for  dissi- 
pation. 

Tlie  fact  upon  wliicli  the  cousins  based  their 
hoi)es  was  that  tl^c  iiieuhad  dismissed  the  mule 
that  was  so  useful  is  carrying  ihe  heavy  metal. 
It  followed,  therefore,  that  they  had  hidden 
the  booty  and  would  take  the  first  chance  that 
olfered  to  get  out  of  the  country  with  it.  The 
problem  then  was  to  find  where  it  was  con- 
cealed and  prevent  its  being  carried  off. 

Now,  could  the  youths  have  felt  certain  of 
the  rotiirn  of  Jeff  and  Tim  within  the  next 
twenty-four  hours,  or,  botter  still,  before  night, 
the  wisest  thing  to  do  would  be  to  await  their 
coming.  A  searching  i)arty  composed  of  two 
men  and  the  same  number  of  bovs,  who  knew 
in  what  neighborhood  to  look,  would  have  a 
fair  chance  of  success. 

But,  as  has  been  shown,  it  was  the  uncer- 
tainty as  to  the  coming  of  their  friends  that 
urged  the  youths  to  act  independently  of  them. 


PLOTTING  AXJ)  i^CIlEMlNG. 


231 


The  keen,  scrutinizing  fiance  they  cast  in 
the  direction  of  the  to\verin<^-  mountiiins  and 
over  the  nearer  foothills,  ravines,  gorges,  val- 
leys and  rocks  and  houlders  failed  to  disclose 
the  first  evidence  of  any  one's  being  within  the 
range  of  their  vision. 

"  They  saw  us  start  homeward,"  remarked 
Frank,  "  and  watching  us  for  a  little  way,  con- 
cluded wo  had  given  it  up  as  a  bad  job.  They 
will,  therefore,  bestow  no  more  attention  on 
us,  but  turn  all  their  thoughts  to  the  gold." 

"  That's  the  belief  I  had  just  formed,"  as- 
sented Koswell. 

Where  two  were  so  well  agreed,  there  could 
be  no  division  over  the  right  course  to  pursue, 
and  yet,  had  they  possessed  more  years  and 
experience,  they  would  have  understood  that 
their  opinions  of  necessity  were  crude,  but 
more  likely  to  be  right  than  wrong.  The  fact 
that  they  saw  nothing  of  the  men  was  no  proof 
that  they  themselves  were  invisible  to  the 
others. 

In  truth,  there  was  enougli  in  the  extraordi- 
nary situation  to  require  the  best  thoughts  of 
the  professional  detective.  Ilardman  and  his 
companion  could  not  fail  to  think  of  the  con- 


\t 


\n 


•1 


)     ' 


I  I 


! 


!''  ! 


:       ' 


'U 


232 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


sequences  of  the  speedy  return  of  Jeff  Graham 
and  Tim  McCabe.  AVhat  more  natural  than 
that  the  thieves,  knowing  the  gold  was  safely 
hidden  should  hide  themselves  bevond  all 
tracing  until  the  miners  gavo  up  in  despai.c  and 
left  the  country,  and  thus  opened  the  door  for 
their  escape  ?  Without  outlining  the  almost 
endless  theories,  it  will  be  admitted  that  if  two 
men  could  succeed  in  concealing  a  large  amount 
of  gold  in  the  wildest  and  most  rugged  section 
conceivable,  thev  would  be  zanies  if  unable  to 
keep  it  hidden  beyond  the  keenest-scented 
trailers  and  searchers. 

Having  agreed  that  they  htHl  passed  from 
the  scrutiny  of  the  scamps,  the  cousins  turned 
to  the  right  and  began  picking  their  course 
along  the  path,  where  they  had  gone  but  a  little 
way,  when  they  discovered  there  was  no  path 
at  all.  At  that  moment,  they  were  between 
two  immense  masses  of  stone,  where  thev 
could  not  see  for  fifty  feet  in  any  direction  ex- 
cept that  over  which  they  had  just  traversed, 
and  there  the  extent  was  only  slightly  greater. 
It  was  fair,  therefore,  to  suppose  they  were 
free  from  all  human  scrutiny.  Frank  rested 
the  stock  of  his  Winchester  on  the  ground  at 


t     ! 


PLOTTING  AND  SCHEMING. 


233 


his  feet  and  leaned  back  against  tiie  rock  be- 
hind him. 

"  Roswell,  it  strik-es  me  that  this  is  a  good 
pkice  for  us  to  part ;  what  do  you  think  'i  *' 

"  One  pUice  seems  as  good  as  another.  Where 
do  you  kjcate  those  fellows  ?  " 

Frank  flirted  his  head  so  as  to  indicate  a 
vague  point  behind  him,  as  he  leaned  against 
the  rock. 

"  I  am  sure  you  are  wrong  ;  it  is  off  to  your 
right." 

"  They  may  have  gotten  round  there  by  this 
time,  but  1  meant  where  they  were  when  we 
last  saw  them." 

"  And  that's  what  I  meant ;  you  missed  it 
that  time,  Frank." 

The  latter  looked  up  at  the  sun  and  then 
shook  his  head. 

"  Fm  sure  I  can't  be  mistaken  ;  which  way 
would  you  take  to  find  them  i  " 

His  cousin  promptly  poii'ed  in  the  opposite 
direction,  whereat  Frank  laughed. 

''  Strange,  how  easy  it  is  for  a  fellow  to  lose 
his  bearings  ;  Fm  surprised,  old  fellow." 

"  Not  half  as  much  as  I  am  at  your  blun- 
der." 


!.^ 


W' 

>■ 


i»  ■■'  i' 


I    ;! 


i  I  11,' 
ill' 


234  THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 

Here  was  a  turning  to   both.      They  had 
made  one  of  the  commonest  mistakes  of  those 
placed  in  their  situation,  with  the  additional 
mistalce  of  each  firmly  believing  he  u'as  right 
when  m  point  of  fact  both  were  wrono- 


i    SI' 
I  I 

■I?     l! 


h 


se 
al 

t, 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

A   SLIP. 

The  boys  were  wise  in  not  attempting  to 
argue  the  matter,  for,  as  is  tlie  rulo  under  such 
circumstances,  the  result  would  have  been  to 
eondrm  each  more  strongly  in  his  own  views. 

"  Since  I  am  right  and  you  an^  wrong,"  said 
Frank,  with  a  smile,  -  [  don't  know  that  it  will 
make  sucli  difference,  for  those  t^dlows  have 
probably  changed  their  situation,  and  if  we  iind 
them,  it  will  be  where  we  don't  expect  it. 
Let's  be  oif.'' 

"  Good-bye,  and  good  hick  to  you." 

''  The  same  to  you  ;  good-bye." 

Let  us  loi'  the  present  follow  Frank  Ma nsley, 
who,  it  will  l)e  remembered,  was  the  better 
armed,  since  lie  carried  a  rille  in  addition  to 
his  revolver.  The  i)lan  of  the  cousins  was 
simple,  since  it  was  to  hunt  for  the  thieves,  and, 
by  secretly  watching  their  actions,  ascertain 
where  the  gold  was  hidden.     That  done,  they 

235 


ill  I, 


If 


I 


[ 


■  'i 


i 


I  ! 


p: 


n 


236 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


:■      'I'' 


■I     'I; 


were  couHdent  the  men  would  never  be  able  to 
get  away  with  it. 

One  fact  added  to  Frank's  discomfort :  the 
afternoon  was  well  along  and  it  looked  as  if 
the  search  would  extend  into  the  night,  kite  as 
it  comes  in  that  latitude.  Still,  since  it  was  no 
more  tlian  four  o'clock,  there  remained  six 
hours  of  daylight,  in  w4iich  it  would  seem  a 
good  deal  ought  to  be  accomplished,  provided 
matters  did  not  go  ^vrong. 

Having  fixed  the  locality  of  the  rogues,  as 
nearly  as  he  could,  Frank  set  out  to  hunt 
them  up. 

"  Roswell  and  I  forgot  one  thing :  suppose 
either  has  to  lire  his  weapon,  without  wishing 
to  bring  the  other  to  him,  or  that  1  should  fire 
mine  just  when  he  has  made  a  discovery  and  it 
won't  do  for  him  to  leave  the  spot  where  he 
happens  to  be.  We  ought  to  have  agreed  u})on 
a  double  shot  or  something  like  that  as  a  signal, 
but  is  too  late  now." 

The  trail  retained  the  general  character  tha' 
has  already  been  described,  winding  in  and  out, 
and  compelling  him  to  climb  in  many  places 
where  the  labor  was  tiresome.  In  truth,  it 
may  be  doubted  whether  he  w^as  following  any 


A  SLIP, 


237 


trail  at  all,  since  no  horse  or  donkey  could  ever 
have  used  it,  but  it  was  probably  utilized  by 
some. species  of  quadrupeds,  when  they  were 
more  plentiful  than  in  these  modern  days. 

As  may  be  supposed,  Frank  stuck  to  the 
route  which  he  was  positive  was  the  right  one, 
wliereas  it  was  not,  and  he  so  guided  his  course 
that  it  took  the  form  of  an  irregular  semicircle. 
Since  the  old  trail  was  not  accommodating 
enough  to  help  in  this  respect,  Jie  abandoned  it 
The  problem,  of  course,  was  to  discover  the 
men  he  had  in  miml  without  betraying  himself. 
In  this  respect,  the  youth  met  with  better  luck 
than  he  deserved  ;  for  he  not  only  took  a  dif- 
ferent route  from  what  he  intended,  but,  by 
keeping  to  it,  went  still  further  astray. 

But  a  veteran  could  hardly  have  carried  out 
his  work  better  than  he.  lie  never  climbed 
over  a  boulder  or  rock  whicli  he  could  pass 
around.  When  his  course  was  so  blocked  that 
he  was  obliged  to  go  over,  he  crept  forward 
on  his  hands  and  knees,  with  as  much  care  as  if 
trying  to  steal  into  an  Indian  camp. 

The  face  of  the  country,  as  will  be  under- 
stood, always  shortened  the  range  of  his  vision, 
so  that  at  no  time  was  he  able  to  see  more  than 


i  i. 

f  ■'! 


!  t], 


'i'i 


.; 


1^  1 


H 


\l 


If 


238 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


h 


I    f, 


a  few  rods  in  any  direction,  and  he  did  not 
forget  to  look  to  the  rear  and  the  sides  as  well 
as  to  the  front. 

"  I  guess  I'll  have  to  do  it." 

He  had  halted  in  front  of  a  towering  mass 
of  stone,  but  sev^eral  trials  proved  it  could  not 
be  flanked.  He,  therefore,  began  resolutely 
climbing  the  distance  to  the  top,  which  was 
comparatively  slight.  Tt  was  well  it  was  so, 
for  it  is  no  easv  task  for  even  a  ruo-o^ed  youth 
to  make  his  wav  alou<2^  the  iau'i^ed  front  of  a 
mass  of  stone,  and  carry  a  AVinchester  rifle  at 
the  same  time.  AVhen  half  way  up,  Franlc  lost 
his  foothold  and  came  to  the  ground  with  a 
thump,  but  he  did  not  mind  a  little  thing  like 
that,  and  went  up  again  with  so  much  care  that 
he  speedily  readied  a  point  where,  by  reaching 
upward,  he  could  lay  his  weapon  on  the  top, 
and  then  readilv  draw  himself  after  it. 

He  was  a  little  startled  to  find  his  elevation 
greater  than  he  had  ex])ected,  while  the  top 
extended  for  fully  thirty  feet  in  front.  But  it 
sloped  away  from  him  until  the  lower  side  was 
close  to  the  earth,  the  contour  suggesting  that 
of  the  roof  of  a  house.  With  scarcely  any 
hesitation,   he    adopted    the  usual  course  of 


A  SLIP. 


239 


crawling  on  his  hands  and  knees  down  this, 
when,  just  before  reaching  the  bottom,  he  saw 
his  man. 

It  was  not  Ilardman,  but  his  confederate 
Fortunately  he  was  standing  with  his  back  to- 
ward Frank,  liis  anns  folded  and  his  attitude 
that  of  one  who  is  studying  tiio  country  before 
bim.  lie  was  almost  certain,  however,  to 
wheel  about  at  any  moment,  and  Frank  hastily 
scrambled  to  the  bottom  and  crouched  behind 
the  first  boulder  he  could  reach. 

"  Gracious !  that  was  lucky,"  he  muttered, 
as  he  removed  his  cap  and  ])eepe(l  out. 

So  it  proved,  for  at  that  moment,  the  tousled 
scamp,  without  moving  his  feet,  twisted  the 
upper  part  of  his  body  and  shouUius  around, 
and  stared  towar-d  the  very  rock  over  which  the 
youth  had  just  passed.  A  few  moments  sooner, 
and  assuredly  he  would  have  seen  Frank. 

"  What  does  he  mean  by  standing  like  that  ?  " 
Frank  asked  himself,  carefully  keepin-  his  eye 
upon  him  ;  -  he  looks  as  if  posing  for  a  kodak. 
What  a  fine  picture  he  would  make  for  some 
young  lady's  collection  !  " 

Probably  a  hundred  feet  separated  the  two, 
the    intervening    space    being  as   rough   and 


III 


'I 


r! 


J 


I  ( 


w 


240 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


>  -Ti 


i 

1 

!  ■;  I 


iil! 


1  ,lf 

■J  .t* 

I  •'! 

•^  if 


^!    'II. 


broken  as  that  over  which  the  lad  had  already 
made  liis  way.  The  most  natural  suggestion 
was  that  the  man  was  looking  for  some  one, 
though,  if  lie  meant  to  guard  against  the  ap- 
proach of  eavesdroppers,  it  would  seem  he 
ought  to  have  kept  himself  out  of  sight. 

Nothing  would  have  been  easier  than  for 
Frank  to  pick  off  the  rascal,  but  it  need  not  be 
said  that  no  such  thought  entered  the  mind  of 
the  youth.  Had  he  been  capable  of  the  deed, 
it  would  have  defeated  the  very  purpose  that 
brought  him  thitlier,  since  it  would  have  been 
out  of  the  i)o\vcr  of  the  fellow  to  guide  him  to 
the  hiding-place  of  the  gold. 

But  Frank  did  think  seriously  of  one  thing : 
could  he  not  frighten  the  man  into  revealing 
his  secret  by  threatening  him  witli  the  dreadful 
penalty  if  he  did  not  do  so  ?  He  might  have 
believed  this  possible  but  for  what  had  taken 
place  earlier  in  the  day. 

A  few  minutes'  thought,  however,  showed 
the  youth  the  folly  of  the  idea.  The  fellow 
would  simply  laugh  at  him  and  there  was  no 
way  of  compelling  him  to  do  anything.  Even 
if  he  made  a  pretence  of  complying,  nothing 
was  easier  than  for  the  scamp  to  mislead  him. 


A  SLIP. 


241 


While  still  intently  studying  the  man  from 
the  rear,  Frank  saw  him  do  something  signifi- 
cant.  He  unfolded  his  arms,  raised  his  right 
hand  and  made  a  singular  circular  movement 
with  it  above  his  head. 

That  it  was  a  signal  to  some  one  was  mani- 
fest. ^^ho  could  it  be  except  Ike  Ilardman, 
who  was  also  signalling  to  him  ? 

The  latter  was  beyond  Frank's  range  of 
vision,  and  yielding  to  his  curiosity,  lie  rose  to 
a  half-erect  posture  and  y-.jered  toward  the 
point  at  which  the  other  was  looking.  Noth- 
ing  met  his  gaze,  and,  fearful  of  disc^'overy,  he 
stooped  once  more,  still  with  his  cap  off^  and 
his  attention  riveted  on  the  other. 

Having  made  the  gesture  described,  the 
rogue  seemed  satisfied,  for  he  folded  his  arms 
and  resumed  liis  statuesque  poso.  Only  for  a 
minute,  however,  when  it  was  evident  he  had 
discovered  something  interesting.  Walking 
quickly  to  the  edge  of  the  narrow  plateau 
upon  which  he  had  been  standing,  he  dropped 
lightly  to  the  ground  and  vanished. 

The  action  was  so  sudden  that  Frank  was 
puzzled.  One  moment  his  man  was  in  sight 
and  the  next  was  gone.     It  would  never  do'' to 

10 


» I 


I  ;^ 


( I 


'  ' 


242 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I  I 


I'! 


J  I 


let  him  escape  in  that  fashion,  for  the  success 
of  the  boy's  venture  tlopended  upon  his  keep- 
ing the  otiier  in  sight. 

That  there  was  risk  in  what  he  next  did  was 
unquestionable,  but  there  was  no  avoiding  it. 
He  ro[)laced  his  cap,  and,  rifle  in  hand,  straight- 
ened up  and  started  after  the  man,  walking 
softly  but  rapidly.  It  took  only  a  few  seconds 
to  reach  the  point  where  he  had  vanished,  but 
nothinii:  was  seen  of  him.  Concludin^:  he 
had  followed  the  easiest  course  that  presented 
itself,  the  pursuer  passed  around  the  nexu 
pile  of  boulders  and  rocks,  and  suddenly 
found  himself  up  against  another  pile,  so 
similar  to  the  one  he  had  climbed  and  passed 
over  a  short  time  before,  that  he  was  startled 
into  the  momentary  belief  that  it  was  the 
same. 

That,  however,  was  clearly  impossible.  The 
circumstances  required  caution,  but  the  minutes 
were  too  valuable  for  him  to  hesitate.  He 
must  lose  no  time  in  getting  to  the  other  side 
of  the  obstruction,  though  the  fact  that  he  had 
seen  nothing  of  the  man  ought  to  have  told 
Frank  he  must  have  taken  some  other  course 
than  the  one  he  was  followinsr. 


A  Slip. 


243 


The  edge  of  the  rocks  «as  so  high  above  him 
that  It  n-us  noce.ssan'  to  ,„ake  a  loa|,,  catch  it 
»ith  h,s  hands  and  ,|,,nv  hi,ns,.|r  „,,  Two 
l'l.u.s  of  ,nanu.in,.  his  riMc    .s„go,s,o,l   itself: 

I'ocouM  toss  it  lightly  „po,.  the  surface  above 
-''ei.ni.aftorit,  or,  k.,ning  it  against  the' 
»"l«of  the  stones,  first  place  himself  at  the  ton 
'''"'  then,  lying  flat  and   leaning  ,lo«-n.  o,,,sn 

the  mn..le  and  pull  the  weapon  np  after  him. 
The  objection  to  the  (irst  metho,!  was  that  he 
run  a  certain  risk  of  injuring  the  gnn,  while,  if 
>t  shonl.l  so  happen  that  the  n.an  was  anv- 
"'hero  near,  ho  ,night,  by  a  .,uick  movement 
get  possession  of  it.  ' 

Consequently,  Frank  stood  it  almost  npricrht 
"'Hh  the  muzzle  pointing  up^vard.  It  wouhl^be 
a  long  reach  <lownwar,l  to  .secure  it,  l,ut  he  was 
nimble  and  athletic,  and  he  believed  itcouhl  be 
(tone.  Tie  (hd  not  hesitate,  therefore,  longer 
than  to  formulate  the  plan  in  his  mind. 

As  he  intended,  he  .sprang  only  a  little  way 
<.inght  the  e,Ige  of  the  rocks,  drew  himself  „p 
sh.ng  one  foot  over  the  side,  and  easily  worked 
hnnseif  to  a  position  on  the  surface  above, 
ihen,  m  accordance  with  his  programme,  he 
turned  about  to  reach  down  for  his  weapon 


I;  J^ 


!,    fi 


'   I 


i?      ,( 


f      i 


244 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


)    ' 


f '  ii 


I  1^1 


li!h* 


when  he  was  confronted  b}^  one  of  the  most 
startling  surprises  of  his  life. 

Directly  below  him,  and  only  three  or  four 
paces  distant,  stood  the  grinning,  tousled  va- 
grant, with  the  rifle  grasped  in  both  hands  and 
so  held,  that  the  easiest  thing  conceivable  was 
for  him  to  perforate  Frank  Mansley  with  one 
of  the  bullets. 

The  boy  was  so  angered  at  the  astonishing 
way  in  which  the  tables  had  been  turned,  that, 
without  an  instant's  hesitation,  he  dropped 
down  from  his  perch  and  strode  toward  the 


rogue. 


"  Give  that  gun  back !  "  commanded  Frank, 
placing  his  hand  on  the  weapon  at  his  hip. 

The  man  drew  back  a  couple  of  steps  and 
pointed  the  weapon  at  the  boy,  though  the 
stock  was  held  below  his  waist.  There  was  so 
little  space  between  the  two,  that  it  was  not 
necessary  to  bring  the  gun  to  a  level  to  secure 
certainty  of  aim.     He  was  still  grinning. 

"  I  reckon  not,  sonny  ;  this  ere  weapon  seems 
to  be  loaded,  and,  since  it  has  sarved  you  so 
well,  I've  half  a  notion  to  press  the  trigger  and 
thin  out  the  poppylation  in  the  Klondike  to 
that  extent." 


'   It 


'  if 


GIVE  THAT  GUN  BACK  !" 


r 


'I    13111  ;i| 


li^ 


.!!       I 


li!f:;f 


ill  i'h' 


n  1 


1 

f  ■'  !; 

i 

i!   '< 

1    -r  ! 

]      1  1     ' 
Mil' 

1 
ii 

ft 


A  SLIP. 


245 


The  words  and  manner  of  the  man  convinced 
Frank  of  his  helplessness.  While  he  had  his 
revolver,  the  other  held  the  more  deadly 
weapon,  and  was  a^:  much,  if  not  more  disposed 
to  use  it  than  was  the  youth  to  employ  his 
pistol.  It  could  not  be  doubted  that  if  the 
man  was  attacked,  he  would  shoot.  Further- 
more,  he  was  too  cunning-  to  g-ive  any  advan- 
tage to  his  captive. 

But  Frank  was  plucky.  He  kept  his  hand 
on  the  butt  of  the  smaller  weapon  and,  looking 
the  other  straight  in  the  eye,  said  : 

"Well,  you've  got  my  rifle;  what  are  you 
going  to  do  with  it  ?  " 

The  fellow  was  so  completely  master  of  the 
situation,  that  he  felt  facetious. 

"  That's  such  a  big  subject  that  I'll  have  to 
take  some  time  to  make  up  my  mind  ;  I  should 
h'ke  to  write  to  my  friends  in  the  States  and 
ask  their  advice,  'cause  I  don't  want  to  make 
any  blunder.  At  present,  howsumever,  and  in- 
asmuch as,  I'll  hold  it  so  that  if  you  try  any 
tricks  it  will  accidenterally  go  off  and' hit  a 
party  youngster  of  about  your  size  and  giu'ral 
appearance.  What  is  your  'pinion  of  that  line 
of  policy  ? " 


!i 


^  I 


i  ~ 


i  -ii 


I  ;ii  • 


If? 


246 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


■•ii 


I    ! 


Frank  was  too  indignant  to  reply.  He 
glared  at  his  master  and  sneered. 

"  Don't  seem  to  feel  like  being  chummy  with 
a  gentleman  ;  but  I  obsarve  that  you  are  rest- 
ing your  hand  on  your  hip  as  if  you  feel  weary ; 
if  I'm  not  mistook  you've  got  a  smaller  cannon 
in  your  pocket  there ;  I'm  sorry,  but  I  shall 
have  to  trouble  you  to  hand  the  same  over, 
keeping  the  butt  p'inted  toward  me  ;  the 
reason  for  this  is  that  1  want  to  perwide 
against  accerdents ;  produce  the  same,  if  you 
please." 

Frank  now  recoiled  a  step  and  confronting 
the  fellow  replied : 

"  You  have  stolen  our  o^old  and  mv  rifle,  but 
you  shall  not  have  my  revolver." 

"  Do  you  refuse  to  let  me  have  it  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  if  you  think  you  can  take  it  from 
me,  try  it  'i " 

"  Wal,  now,  since  you  seem  'bout  ready  to 
cry  over  the  ])op-gun,  1  don't  mind  your  keep- 
ing it,  but  I  hope  you  wont  try  any  experiments 
on  me.  Yon  see,  younker,  I  might  be  looking 
and  would  know  vou  meant  to  hurt  me,  thouo'h 
that  would  be  the  only  way  I  knowed  it,  by 
obsarving  that  you  p'inted  the  same  at  me,  and 


A  SLIP. 


247 


tben  you'd  be  apt  to  be  hurt.     So  be  careful 
sonny."  ' 

Not  the  least  exasperating  feature  of  the 
situation  was  the  coolness  of  the  fello^v.  While 
'•>^"'1<  '>oile,l  over  with  anger  at  the  aggravat- 
'n.^-  .ll-iuck  that  ha,l  followe.l  him,  the   other 

^■nn„e,lan,l  ch„elde.l  an.l  accepted  the  resent- 
f'l  "-""Is  and  „,anner  of  the  boy  as  if  they 
«-ere  parts  of  the  jest  in  which  the  two  were 
tne  actors. 

"  I  '''^'"■v'ed,  my  son,  that  you  just  spoke 
about  some  gold  that  seems  to  have  took  win^s 
and  flowe.l ;  you  knov.-  .iches  is  liable  to  do  th^Ct 
BO  you  onghter  not  feel  too  bad  over  it ;  if  some' 
bad  man  has  come  along  and  lift,3.l  the  nu<^..ets 
that  you  was  kind  'nough  to  have  tied  uplnd 
waiting  for  him,  why,  you  must  remember  that 
there  are  a  few  more  of  the  same  sort  left  in 
the  Ivlondike." 

Frank  had  received  a  lesson  from  this  scamp 
and  he  brought  his  temper  under  better  control 
Then  you  don't  deny  that  you  and  Hard- 
man  stole  our  money  ? "  he  aske.l  with  more 
coolness  than  he  had  shown  since  the  opening 
or  this  strange  interview. 
"  Let  us  waive  that  question,"  replied  the 


¥i  >  i 


,!' 


II 


III 


ji^  i 


248 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS, 


r!!^ 


:l     > 


f    i 


1    t 

;  i 


other  airily  ;  "  it  doesn't  seem  to  me  that  it  is 
French — that  is  to  say  germane — to  the  sub- 
ject. My  son,  you  should  remember  that  there 
ain't  many  misfortins  in  this  life  that  are  so  bad 
that  they  couldn't  be  worse.  When  I  was  a 
sweet,  innercent  youth  I  heerd  the  story  of  the 
Dutchman  as  fell  from  the  masthead  and  broke 
his  leg.  AVlien  they  run  to  pick  him  up,  they 
heerd  him  thanking*  heaven  'cause  it  wasn't  his 
neck  what  was  broke.  There's  a  good  'eal  of 
philoserphy  in  that  view  of  life." 

It  was  an  amazing  statement  to  come  from 
the  mouth  of  this  thorough  scamp,  and  not  the 
least  curious  part  of  it  all  was  that,  despite  his 
chagrin  and  anger,  Frank  IMansley  felt  the  truth 
of  the  words,  even  though  uttered  by  so  arrant 
a  hypocrite. 

"  Since  you  and  Ilardman  took  our  property, 
I  suppose  you  were  thankful  it  amounted  to  so 
much,  while  you  wislied  for  more." 

"  Correct,  my  son  ;  it  was  a  sore  affliction  to 
us,  but  Mr.  Ilardman  and  myself  are  striving 
to  bear  up  under  it ;  I  thank  you  in  his  name 
and  ray  own  for  your  sympathy,  and  we'll  do 
the  same  for  you  when  the  chance  comes." 

"  You  got  the  chance  to-day  and  took  it ;  I 


i 


A  SLIP. 


24U 


suppose  you  ha.e  heard  of  such  a  people  as  the 
mounted  police  of  U.^tish  Columbia  i  " 

"Rumors  has  readied  me  that  they  have 
something  of  the  kind  in  this  part  of  the  uorld  • 
I  spose  they're  necessary  noosances." 

"No;  they  are  formed  to  tak-e  care  of  such 
nuisances  as  you  and  Uardman,  and  thev  do  it 
pretty  thoroughly,  too." 

"I  am  glad  to  knou-  it,  though  since  mv 
fnend  Mr.  Ilardman  must  have  heard  some- 
thnig  of  the  same " 

"  There  isn't  any  doubt  about  that,"  grimly 
interrupted  Frank. 

"  I  was  about  to  say  that  my  friend  Hard- 
man  has  arranged  things  so  that  the  mounted 
police  won't  bother  him  or  me." 

The  meaning  of  this  ;vas  that  the  t^yo  thieves 
had  conducted  the  tlieft  of  tlie  gold  so  skillfully 
that  they  had  no  cause  to  fear  any  officers  o'f 
tiie  law. 

But,  the  youth  abruptly  asked  himself,  why 
should  he  continue  this  pointless  conversation'? 
Here  was  a  conscienceless  villain,  prating  mor- 
ality, and  yet  exulting  in  the  robberv  he  had 
just  committed.  He  could  not  be  frio|,toned 
nor  persuaded  into  righting  the  wrong,  an.l 


¥       i 


w 


rn 


>, ) 


U'-l 


'j 


■'•     9 


250 


TUE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEKKTRS. 


'iM 


Frank  simply  lowered  himself  by  holding  con- 
verse with  him.    He  decided  to  do  so  no  longer. 

"  AVell,  since  there  is  no  use  of  my  staying 
here,  I'll  go  home." 

He  was  in  the  act  of  turninor  awav,  when  to 
iiis  amazement,  he  heard  the  report  of  lioswell 
Falmer's  revolver. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


WHAT    CAN    IT   MEAN? 

Frank  Manslev  ha,l  some  misgiving  that  his 

™,Hoi.  .vo«M  object  to  I,is  taking  l,is  departure 

m  th,s  off-iuincl  fashion,  but  ho  cU.l  not     On 

the  contrary,  he  .-cMnovcl  his  cap,  made  a  low 

sahiam,  and  with  mock  courtesy  said  : 

"Tin  sartin,  younker,  I  u-ish  vou  many  re- 
turns of  tliis  'ere  happy  day." 

To  tliis  sublime  imiuKlenee,  the  vouth  made 
no  reply.  Truth  to  tell,  the  report  of  the  re- 
v-ol.er  turned  his  thoughts  into  a  ne.-and  more 
stimng  channel.  It  was  the  signal  agreed  upon 
between  the  cousins,  by  which  either  should 
make  known  to  the  other  any  important  dis- 
covery  made. 

Of  course  the  man  upon  whom  Frank  had 
just  turned  his  back  noticed  thestartlin..'  report 
though  in  the  brief  interval  of  time,  he'Vve  no' 
evidence  of  it,  so  far  as  the  youth  could  per- 

251 


ii 

i  5 


If 


J 


,    I 


252 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEK  EH  S. 


1  1 


1 1 


'\i 


ill 


A  great  trial  to  Fr;ink  was  that,  hi  th<^  flurry 
of  the  irioineiit,  he  failed  to  note  the  direction 
whence  came  the  sound.  So  far  as  he  knew, 
it  might  hav(?  been  from  any  (jne  of  several 
different  points  of  tlie  com[)ass. 

But  it  was  understood  betu^een  hiiu  and  Kos- 
well,  thjit  tlie  sio-nal  w^as  to  he  followf^d  bv 
shouting  and  calls  in  order  to  prevent  any  pos- 
sible mistake,  lie  listened  ;is  he  clambered 
over  the  boulders  or  passed  around  the  rocks, 
for  the  shouts  that  would  guide  him,  but  none 
reached  his  ears,  and  this  was  another  cause 
for  perplexity. 

Since  there  was  no  reason  for  secrecy,  Frank 
proceeded  more  rapidly  on  his  w.iy  from,  than 
to,  the  scene  of  his  interview.  Once  he  had  the 
curiosity  to  look  back,  but  the  nnin  was  not  in 
sight. 

"  He  intends  to  Hnd  out  what  that  ])istol 
report  means,"  thought  Frank,  "and  is  giving 
me  no  further  thought.  Roswell  will  make  as 
big  a  mess  of  it  as  I  did,  and  those  fellows  have 
now  had  so  much  warning  that  even  if  Jeff 
and  Tim  get  home  within  the  next  houi*,  they 
won't  be  able  to  help  us  at  all."    • 

The  further  the  youth  picked  his  way,  the 


WHAT  CAN  IT  MEAN r  263 

more  dejected  he  became.     He  had  not  gone 

haU  the  distance  dovvn  the  trail  when  his  feel 
ings  underuont  a  change,  and  he  decided  upon 
an  entirely  new  course  of  action 

"  y;""'«  tho  use >  Rosuell  and  I  have blun- 
«io.'e.l  from  the  beginning?  Those  menare  too 
^•»"»'"^'  for  us.     They  have  hidden  the  gold 

"•l>-e  no  one  but  themselves  can  And  it," and' 
they  Icnow  enough  to  keep  the  secret  until  we 
8»'e  up  the  hunt  and   leave.      They  are  too 

—,  too,  to  let  Jeff  or  Tim  get  sight  of  them. 
"1  go  home,  and   when  Roswell  comes,  we'll 
start  ,n  digging  again.     Maybe  we  shall  be  as 
■«eky  as  we  have  been  for  the  last  few  days." 
Wo„derf,d  is  the  elastic  hope  of  vouth  and 

;.7"'-     -^'-P-f-'Jepression 'of  spirits 
tlMt  overcame  h,n,  while  making  his  way  1  ome- 

-"•  partly  lifted  and  he  became  more  chee. 
f       she  advanced.     Several  times  he  recalled 

tn„strat,on  used  by  the  scamp  concerning 
h  Dutchman  who  broke  his  leg.  True  indeed 
t,  hat  there  are  few  misfortunes  in  life  that 
ould  not  be  worse,  and  no  matter  how  dark 

the  cloud,  the  sun  is  always  shining  behind  it 
He  reasone-l  that  when  his  absent  friends 

learned  of  the  loss,  they  would  quickly  rally 


I    ii 


^ 


254 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


i    I   ! 


1! 


il'. 


■ 

■i  i  ' 

and  set  to  work  w  ith  a  vigor  that  could  not 
fail  to  produce  good  results. 

"  Jeff  has  got  one  good  claim  ;  Roswell  and 
I  have  learned  enough  about  washing  gold  to 
be  of  help  and  we'll  soon  have  another  fortune 
that  we'll  know  how  to  take  care  of.  After 
all,"  he  added,  as  his  ojitiniisni  expanded,  "we 
have  much  to  be  thankful  for  :  we  hav^e  all 
good  health,  no  accident  has  harmed  us,  we 
are  certain  to  gain  a  moderate  fortune,  even  if 
we  have  lost  a  big  one,  and  we  have  been  a 
great  deal  more  lucky  than  many  others  that 
have  come  to  the  Klondike." 

And  at  that  time,  when  everything  seemed 
to  unite  to  discourage  him,  he  was  able  to  mur- 
mur an  earnest  prayer  of  thankfulness  to  Him 
who  had  him  and  his  friends  in  His  merciful 
keeping. 

One  cause  brings  nearly  all  the  unhappiness 
of  life:  we  forget  that  most  of  the  afflictions 
that  come  upon  us  are  wholly  our  own  fault. 
"When  we  feel  like  rebelling  against  cruel  fate, 
we  fail  to  remember  that  it  is  not  fate  nor  Prov- 
idence, but  ourselves  who  have  brought  upon 
us  all  the  sufferin<?  and  miserv. 

"  Now,"  said  Frank,  as  if  arguing  with  a 


doubting  friondnt,  his  cIIk.w    "  „•„  . 

in  fi.^         ,  •  ^^  tu'oevil  men  wovo 

^-'lom.    fnsteat  of  one  of  nc  i^       • 

«  at  tin.  conceit),  an,.  realI,invU      11 
to  come  and  take  it.  " 

"Who'stoblamolWtl.at?"  he  asked  stoD 

P'".  "H.i..a,,c  and  iookin,  ,,,.,,,,.,,,,  i/;2: 
ng  someone  to  d,,n,t,.hin..     "  T,,on,  Ros  J, 

at/t^::i::"'r;T^'^'----- 

tujiMcs.     J  lieheveJ'rovidenco  blinded 
tnemmto  ffiv  no-no  ti,.,f„i  ,.  """"i 

-™  We,,: r !:;:::;  :::-- 
;:;:tjr:-^-"-"-'--o.:o,i;;: 

The  rocks  and  air  at  u-liic,  ,,e  stared  in  turn 
gave  back  no  response    nnd    l,„  , 

w;U-  I,  ,     '    "■^^'  '^"''    "e  resumed   his 

WtiiK  IiomewarH      Tt  T.-;n  i        -,    • 

B»  dra.     It  n  dl  be  admitted  that  the 

you^g  man  ,vas  in  the  mood  to  take  a  sensible 
view  of  things,  and  he  did  it. 
All  the  same,  however,  there  would  come  a 

row  of  corpulent  canvas  bags,  filled  with  pre- 
Clous  nuggets,  arranged  so  methodicallv  onle 


i '  i 


'  I; 


256 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


\i 


')! 


Hhelves  in   the  cavern-like  eabin,  and   realized 
that  they  were  gone  beyond  recovery. 

But  ari5  they  beyond  recovery  ? "  he  mut- 

'  because 


u 


tered  with  a  straniro  thrill 


we 


hav 


e 


failed  so  far  is  no  proof  we  shall  fail  to  the 


end. 


» 


llis  thoughts  reverted  to  his  cousin  and  the 
report  ol'  his  revolver  which  had  sounded  from 
some  point  tliat  he  was  unable  to  locate.  His 
brow  wrinkled. 

'•That  was  the  signal  we  agreed  upon  as 
meaning  that  some  discovery  has  been  made. 
Now,  what  could  it  have  been  with  Koswell  ? 
If  he  shouted  I  di<ln't  hear  him,  and  one's  voice 
ought  to  reach  as  far  as  the  sound  of  a  pistol. 
Can  it  be  that  he  found  the  place  where  the 
gold  was  hidden  'i  If  he  did,  can  he  hold  it  till 
I  reach  him,  but  how  am  I  to  reach  him,  when 
I  don't  know  where  he  is  ?  " 

He  was  now  quite  close  to  the  cabin.  At 
the  little  icy  stream  which  crossed  the  trail 
near  by,  ho  stopped  and  h'ing  on  his  face, 
quaffed  deeply  from  the  refreshing,  crystalline 
water.  Then  he  sat  down  for  a  few  minutes' 
further  thought. 

"  There  would  be  a  better  chance  if  1  had 


^BAT  CAN  IT  MEA!f  f  gSZ 

my  Winch..»te,. ;  that  scam,,  l.as  enough  cir 
tn.Ige.  i„  the  „,„,a.in..  to  .stand  o,r  a  .lo^ 
-en,  and  they  wi„  .,o  it  ..atho.  than  g  1" 
"■e-r  booty.  I  ,„„o.t  „ish  they  n-ould  It 
a-.y  before  Jeff  and  Tim  con.e  bik."         ^ 

b.ool>   which  emerged  fron.  a  mas.s  of  dripping 
rocks  jnst  above,  thinking,  intently  over ": 

jn.ngemcide„tsoftheafternoon,Lnde; 

a  1  ort  distance  above,  wa.sone  of  thoseshinin. 
pebblesort,nyma.ssessimih.rton.hatheand 
attempt  at  exploration  in  this  region 

b.mk  of  ti.o  stream  an.l  then,  stooping,  dre,v 
»e  nugget  from  the  bed  of  the  LZ.     Z 
could  scarcely  believe  his  eyes,  but  the  gleam 

'ng  yellow  bit,  the  .si.e  of  a  small  walnuffrom 

Zllr   f  ^/^     '  '"'  ''  •'""«■"=  ''  f-th,  was 
another  of  those  many  specimens  of  virgin  gold 
bat  have  been  found  :„  the  wonderfull/au- 
nferous  reg.on  of  the  far  Northwest. 

itsltn'".*""''  ''  °^^'  "^  '^^^  ''^"d.  noted 
.ts  lead-hke  heaviness  and  kncv  it  was  a  valu- 


iM 


258 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKILRS. 


M 


i«  ■ 


able  find.  There  was  nothing  superstitious  in 
Frank's  make-up,  but  he  was  a  firm  believer 
in  special  providences  and  he  accepted  this 
token  as  proof  that  the  sunshine  of  prosperity 
was  near  at  hand.  It  was  a  gentle  but  force- 
ful reminder  that  Heaven  never  forgets  those 
dependent  upon  it,  and  all  that  the  youth  liad 
to  do  was  to  keep  his  faith  in  his  beneficent 
Father,  and  meet  his  duty  manfully  to  the  end. 
'^  Jeff  said  he  meant  to  get  out  of  this  country 
before  the  mosquitoes  drive  us  out.  That 
won't  be  for  several  weeks  yet,  and  we  can  do 
a  good  deal  in  that  time  by  all  setting  to  work. 
The  nights  are  .so  short  that  we  shall  have  as 
much  dayliglit  as  we  need,  and  I  know  we  shall 
gather  another   fortune   if   we  keep  up   our 


courage. 


>) 


It  was  natural  to  think  that  other  nuggets 
were  to  be  found  in  the  neighborhood  of  where 
he  had  picked  up  this  one,  and  Frank  devoted 
a  half  hour  to  a  painstaking  search,  but  he 
came  ui)on  no  more.  Though  the  deposits  of 
gold  follow  certain  general  laws,  they  are  at 
times  so  whimsical  tliat  it  seems  their  finding 
depends  wholly  upon  cliance.  It  was  so  in  this 
case,  and  he  gave  over  the  search. 


WHAT  CAN  IT  MEAN f 


259 


Resuming  his  wallc  liomeward,  he  had  not 
gone  far  when,  rounding  a  bend  in  the  trail  or 
path,  lie  came  in  sight  of  tlie  buri'o,  which  had 
helped  so  much  in  carrying  off  the  wealth  of 
the  minoi's.  The  aninud  knew  enough  to  find 
his  Wiiy  back  to  his  pastunige  ground,  where 
he  was  cropj)ing  the  succuhnt  grass  as  coa- 
tentedly  as  if  there  were  no  such  thing  as  dis- 
ai)pointment  and  crime  in  this  world.  Frank 
stop])ed  and  surveyed  the  brute  for  a  few 
moments. 

"Xow,  if  you  only  knew  how  to  talk,  you 
could  tell  a  mighty  interesting  story ;  if  you 
could  only  be  nuide  to  understand  what  you 
have  been  doing,  you  would  be  ghul  to  lead  us 
back  to  wliere  all  those  canvas  bags  have  been 
hidden. 

"  I  don't  know  though  but  what,  if  you  could 
speak,  ynu  would  tell  Roswell  and  me  that  we 
are  such  a  couple  of  donkeys  ourselves  that 
you  wouldn't  help  us.  Th<^re  isn't  any  doubt 
that  our  ears  ought  to  be  as  long  as  yours,  for 
you  are  no  bigger  dunce  than  we." 

From  this  point,  it  was  not  far  to  the  cabin, 
from  which  he  and  his  chum  had  set  out  in 
such  hot  haste  after  the  thieves.     At  sight  of 


I 


WW 


'2G0 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKEHS. 


the  familiar  spot  his  heart  sank  again.  There 
was  the  cavern-like  dwelling,  with  its  primitive 
roof,  the  exposed  entrance,  the  stove  a  little 
way  in  front  with  which  the  cooking  had  been 
done,  the  two  large  stones,  that  Tim  and  ffeff 
wore  fond  of  usino*  for  scats,  when  smokini; 
their  pipes  and  exchanging  views  of  life,  after 
the  day's  work  was  over. 

All  the  familiar  landmarks  were  in  sii^ht, 
but  the  men  and  the  other  boy  were  gone.  The 
former  Avere  far  away  at  Dawson  City  or  on 
their  return,  and  Rosw^ell  was  somewhere 
among  the  hills  hunting  for  the  hiding-place  of 
the  gold.  It  might  be  that  in  his  eagerness  he 
was  pushing  into  the  mountains  and  would  not 
return  for  several  days. 

The  dread  that  any  harm  could  come  to  his 
fri(?nd  did  not  enter  at  first  the  thoughts  of 
Frank  Mansley.  Although  on(3  of  the  crim- 
inals possessed  the  Winchester,  he  would  not 
turn  it  against  the  boy,  since  no  necessity  was 
likely  to  arise  for  doing  so. 

Such  was  the  reasonable  conclusion  of  Frank, 
but  it  would  be  idle  to  denv  that  now  and  then 
he  was  disturbed  by  a  poignant  misgiving. 
The  fact  that  he  himself  had  come  off  with- 


WHAT  CAy  IT  MEANf 


261 


out  harm  from  his  meeting  with  one  of  the 
criminals  was  no  assurance  that  Roswell  had 
been  eqnally  fortunate,  despite  the  fact  that  he 
possessed  an  effective  weapon,  while  Ilardnuin 
had  none.  The  rullian  niigiit  manage  to  secure 
the  pistoJ,  as  his  friend  had  secured  the  Win- 
chester. It  might  be,  too,  that  the  discluirge  of 
the  weapon  meant  that  Ifardman  I)ad  firtxl  it 
at  its  owner. 

The  disturbing  factor  in  the  problem  was  the 
probable  dill'erence  between  the  persona  lit  v 
of  the  two  thieves.  Fraidv's  man  had  not 
olf'  red  him  violence,  because  he  ha])[)ened  not 
to  be  in  the  mood,  or  what  was  more  ])robable, 
saw  no  call  for  violence.  Hard  man  might  be 
more  viiulictive,  and  feel  safe  in  committing 
any  dark  deed  in  those  gloomy  solitudes. 

Frank  recalled  the  Wval  sight  which  he  and 
his  cousin  had  of  llardmun  in  front  of  the 
curio  shop  in  Juneau,  when  l»oth  were  so  un- 
favorably impressed  with  his  appearance.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  this  impi-ession  was 
deepened  by  what  was  learned  on  the  labori- 
ous tramj)  and  voyage  to  the  gold  fields,  or 
rather  to  Dawson  Citv.  Evervthino*  that  the 
boys  saw  and  learned  of  the  man  added  to 


f 


m 


2G2 


TJIE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEE'^KRS. 


their  distrust.  Frank's  feelings  were  summed 
up  in  the  thought : 

"  If  it  had  been  Hardman  who  took  my 
"Winchester  from  me,  he  would  have  used  it  be- 
fore I  luid  time  to  draw  my  pistol." 

Filled  with  these  and  similar  musings,  he 
was  on  the  point  of  entering  the  rude  dwelling 
when  he  abruptly  stopped,  checked  l)y  the  rec- 
ollection of  that  shelf  on  which  the  row  of 
canvas  bags  stood.  He  had  feasted  his  eyes  so 
many  times  on  their  plump  richness  tliat  he 
could  not  bear  to  look  at  the  emptiness  of  the 
place.  He  therefore  sat  down  on  the  outside, 
near  the  stove  whose  fire  had  long  since  died  out. 

The  sun  was  low  in  the  western  sky,  but 
sevei'al  hours  remained  of  dayliglit,  whicli,  the 
reader  does  not  need  to  be  reminded,  comes  at 
that  seas(Mi  in  the  Klondike  less  than  tw^o  hours 
before  midnight. 

Frank,  we^iried  and  oppressed  again,  retained 
his  seat  on  the  outside  of  the  cavern,  using  the 
earth  as  a  chair  and  leaning  his  back  against 
the  stone,  which  formed  a  part  of  the  walls  of 
his  home.  It  will  be  seen  that  he  was  a  prey  to 
many  moods  on  that  eventful  afternoon.  At 
times  he  was  in  the  lowest  depths  of  despair, 


I 


WHAT  ('AN  IT  MEANf 


263 


then  hopeful  and  philosopliic  and  again  more 
disheartened,  lie  folded  his  arms  and  gave 
rein  to  his  swiftly  changing  thoughts. 

The  disturbing  reflection  came  to  him  again 
that  his  cousin  might  be  in  need  of  his  help, 
and  his  own  course  in  returning  home  looked  as 
if  he  had  deserted  him. 

''But  what  can  1  io  T' he  asked  himself; 
"he  did  not  call  to  me,  or  at  most  I  did  not 
hear  liim,  and  there  is  not  one  chance  in  ten 
thousand  that  T  would  take  the  true  course  to 
find  him.  lie  will  learn  after  awhile  that  we 
have  been  trying  to  swim  up  Niagara  and  he 
will  turn  about  and  go  with  the  current." 

Seated  tlius,  his  dreamy  eyes  rested  on  the 
blue  far-away  sky.  He  was  looking  to  the 
north,  so  that  his  view  was  unobscurcd  and  the 
deep  cerulean  was  flecked  by  only  a  single  white 
feathery  cloud,  half-way  between  the  horizon 
and  the  zenith.  He  saw,  in  an  absent  way,  the 
slow  shifting  of  the  fragments  which  hovere<.i 
about  the  sides  of  the  snowy  mass,  some  of 
them  taking  fantastic  shapes,  that  wkiva  suc- 
ceeded by  other-s  equally  fantastic,  while  the 
cloud  itself  gradually  moved  further  along  in 
the  soft  field  of  vision. 


I  i 


t- 1 


1 


* 


Hi  • 


264 


THE  VOUSG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


:. ) 


f:!;  ^  I      f 


For  a  time,  the  youth  dreamily  saw  this 
pretty  sight  as  one  who  sees  it  not.  His  med- 
itations were  as  fleeting  and  erratic  as  the 
scudding  mists  of  a  wintry  sky,  but  they  were 
recalled  to  earth  by  the  discovery  that  some- 
thing had  obtruded  upon  his  view  which  was 
not  there  a  minute  before. 

It  was  when,  by  pure  accident,  he  dropped 
his  gaze  to  the  pile  of  rocks  more  than  a  hun- 
dred yards  in  front  whore  a  similar  object  had 
once  appeared,  that  lie  saw  what  looked  like  a 
crow  or  dark-colored  bird,  perched  on  the  crest 
of  the  mass  of  stone,  as  if  resting  from  its  weari- 
some flight.  So  slight  in  size,  indeed,  was  the 
object  that  the  youth  would  not  have  noted  it  at 
all  had  he  not,  as  has  been  stated,  happened  to 
look  directly  at  the  point  where  it  appeared. 

Frank's  recent  experience  had  taught  him 
to  be  circumspect.  Altliongh  the  discovery 
caused  a  queer  thrill,  he  did  not  start  nor 
change  the  position  (3ven  of  his  head.  It  was 
only  necessary  to  shift  tlie  hue  of  his  vision, 
and  that  was  readily  done  without  the  slightest 
movement,  except  of  the  eyes. 

He  knew  on  the  instant  that  a  man  was 
peering  over  the  top  of  the  rocks  at  him.     It 


! 
iff 


L 


WHA  T  CA  y  1 T  MEAN  f 


265 


! 


was  his  cap  tijat  had  come  up  from  behind  the 
mass,  and  he  was  looking  fixedly  at  the  youth 
seated  on  the  ground  in  front  of  the  cabin, 
with  bis  back  against  the  wall  of  the  primi- 
tive structure. 

"That's  Ike  TTardman  or  his  friend;  he  is 
watching  to  learn  whether  1  have  come  home 
to  stav." 

Morally  certain  that  this  surmine  was  rio-ht, 
a  flood  of  light  burst  upon  the  mind  of  Frank 
Mansley.  From  the  time  he  turned  his  back 
upon  the  fellow  who  captured  liis  Winchester, 
to  when  lie  took  his  seat  near  the  cabin,  he  had 
been  followed  and  watched.  Had  he  turned 
about  and  tried  to  join  his  cousin,  that,  too, 
would  have  been  noted  and  whatever  scheme 
they  formed  would  have  been  brought  to 
naught.  It  was,  therefore,  fortunate  that 
Frank  followed  the  course  described. 

Another  conclusion  was  that  Ilardman  and 
his  fellow-thief  feared  that  the  boys  had  lo- 
cated the  hidden  gold,  or  at  least  had  come  so 
near  doing  so,  that  it  was  unsafe  to  h3t  it 
remain  where  placed.  Aware  that  Jeff  Gra- 
ham and  Tim  McCabe  were  liable  to  return 
at  any  hour  the  rogues  meant  to  remove  tlie 


III 

m 


s  ■ 


w. 


ii  . 


266 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


canvas  biigs  to  some  other  spot,  which  might 
be  so  near  at  hand  that  the  work  w^as  not  hard 
for  a  single  man. 

But,  before  setting  about  the  task,  it  was 
necessary  to  make  sure  they  were  not  watched 
by  the  boys.  One  of  the  criminals  must  have 
learned  by  this  time  that  Frank  had  given  up 
the  task  for  good  and  would  make  no  attempt 
to  spy  any  further.  So  soon  as  it  w^as  shown 
that  Roswell  Palmer  liad  done  the  same,  the 
shift  of  tlie  precious  stuff  could  be  made  in 
safety  and  everything  would  be  secure. 

Such  was  the  theory  of  Frank  ^fansley,  as, 
without  moving  a  muscle  or  betraying  the 
least  agitation,  he  ke{)t  Ids  gaze  fixed  upon  the 
dark  object  wliich  revealed  itself  just  above 
the  mass  of  frowning  rocks  a  hundred  yards 
distant  and  in  front  of  him. 

It  remained  so  stationary  that  one  might 
have  been  tempted  to  believe  it  was  without 
life,  but  the  lad  never  doubted  that  under  the 
visor  of  that  frows}"  head-gear,  a  pair  of  black 
eyes  w'ere  glowering  upon  him,  as  if  they  would 
pierce  him  through.  Tlie}^  did  not  rise  any 
higher,  and  the  fixity  of  the  youth's  stare 
caused  the  slight  object  sometimes  to  flicker 


WHAT  CAX  IT  MEANf 


267 


and  then  become  a  blur,  but  its  identity  was 
never  in  (loul)t. 

Tlien  it  vanished.  Of  course  there  was  no 
sound;  it  merely  dropped  downward  like  the 
disappearing'  ijnure  in  ji  pantomime. 

"  Ho  has  made  up  ids  mind  that  I've  come 
home  to  stay/'  muttered  Frank  ;  -  but  he  may 
take  another  look  at  me  ;  Til  wait  awhile." 

But  the  black  object  was  not  seen  again. 
No  doubt  the  lad  was  right.  The  fehow  had 
kept  him  in  siglit  until  convinced  that  no  more 
time  need  be  wasted  in  watching  him.  So  far 
as  Frank  ]\[ansley  was  concerned,  the  case  was 
closed,  looking  at  it  from  the  view-point  of  the 


rogue. 


When  the  youth  reached  this  conclusion,  he 
was  troubled  by  the  feeling  that  had  disturbed 
him  before  :  it  was  that  he  was  doing  wrong 
in  deserting  his  cousin,  who  might  be  in  sore 
need  of  assistance.  That  solitaiy  pistol  report 
was  still  in  his  ears  and  became  a  call,  which 
would  have  been  answered  long  before,  had 
Frank  known  what  direction  to  follow  to  reach 
his  friend. 

"  I  can't  stand  it  I  "  he  exclaimed,  s[)ringing 
to  his  feet  and  instinctively  placing  his  hand 


I 


fi 


.1     V 


i    I 

I: 


268 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEKKEHS. 


> 


at  his  liip  to  make  sure  his  weapon  was  there  ; 
"  it  is  easiei' to  keep  moving-  than  to  sit  still, 
thouii:li  I  niav  not  be  able  to  do  anvtliin<^." 

Back  again  over  the  old  trail  tliat  had  he- 
come  so  familiar  to  him,  he  picked  his  way 
until  he  cianie  to  the  point  where  the  two  had 
separated,  when  he  paused  to  try  to  locate  the 
point  whence  the  startling  sound  liad  come. 

"  I  think  it  was  off  yonder  to  mv  viii:ht :  anv- 
wav,  I  must  take  mv  chances." 

The  course  followed  was  similar  to  that 
which  has  ah'eadv  been  described,  h'adinf"'  in 
and  out  among  the  boiddei's  and  rocks,  some- 
times over  them,  through  hollows  and  depres- 
sions, and  never  with  an  <\Ktended  view  in  any 
direction.  The  semblance  of  a  path  vanished, 
and  he  was  pressing  blindly  forward,  uncertain 
whether  he  was  approaching  or  drawing  away 
from  the  spot  he  was  seeking,  with  the  proba- 
bilities in  favor  of  tlie  latter,  when  he  was 
brought  to  a.  standstill  as  suddenly  as  if  he 
had  heard  the  rattle  of  a  venomous  sei'})ent  at 
his  feet. 

It  was  another  pistol  report  which  reached 
his  ears,  but  instead  of  ringing  out  clear  and 
sharp,  as  in  the  iirst  instance,  it  sounded  dull 


;i 


IS 

If 


i 


1 


i; 


WHAT  CAN  IT  MEAN f 


269 


and  muffled,  as  if  tlie  weapon  was  fired  from 
within  some  protecting  screen,  or  from  under 
a  cover. 

While  the  astounded  Frank  stood  listen  in 'r 
and  wonderinjL,^  the  revolver  was  heard  again 
and  then  a  third  time. 

Each  report  was  of  the  same  softened,  sub- 
dued  nature,  proving  that  the  weapon  was  dis- 
charged in  some  confined  space.  Moreover, 
such  report  being  faint,  tlje  point  could  not  be 
distant. 

Tiie  exasperating  peculiarity  noted  earlier 
in  tlie  afternoon  w^-is  again  i)resent :  with  all 
his  keenness  of  hearing,  Frank  could  not  fix  the 
direction  of  the  discharge.  It  seemed  really 
to  come  from  a  point  in  the  air  overhead,  and, 
without  pausing  to  consider  the  absurdity  of 
the  idea,  he  looked  upward  as  if  expecting  to 
find  the  solution  of  the  problem  there. 

Needless  to  say  he  failed,  and  with  an  emo- 
tion of  awe,  fear  and  expectancy,  he  whispered 
to  himself : 

"  What  can  it  mean  ?    Is  this  place  haunted  ? " 

It  was  on  his  tongue  to  shout  the  name  of 

his  friend,  but  he  was  restrained  by  a  feeling 

that  the  whole  occurrence  was  uncanny.    Prob- 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


k 


A 


{/ 


:/- 


/  ^  j^  % 


I!!  1.0   t^f& 


1.25 


:t  1^  12.0 


lA  IIIII16 


V] 


<J» 


^>^^ 

^-v^ 

% 


Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STRFE^ 

WEBSTER,  NY.  lAlO 

(716)  872-4S03 


w 


270 


TIIK  VOiryG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


ablv  Roswcll  was  in  trouble,  and  for  Frank  to 
reveal  himself  in'  fii'iiig  tlie  weapon  which  he 
grasped  ready  for  use,  might  phice  a  fatal  ad- 
vantage in  tlie  liands  of  their  common  enemy. 

lie  therefore  stood  silent,  listening  and 
alarmed,  with  the  whispered  (juery  trembling 
on  his  lips  : 

"  What  can  it  mean  i  " 


i 


i 


1 


CHAPTER  XXTI. 

IN    A    HOLE. 

Meaxwhilk,  R(;s\vell  Vdlnwr  became  in- 
volvcd  ill  tho  str;ui,!r,>st  experience  of  his  life. 

It  li;is  been  shown  tli.it  his  cousin  by  follow- 
inn-  ji  wrong  course,  l)ec;iuse  of  his  confusion 
over  the  points  of  tli(;  compass,  encountered 
one  of  the  thieves,  much  to  the  iidvantage  of 
the  latt.M-,  who  added  the  Winchester  rifle  to 
his  ill-got tt'n  gains. 

K(.w,  it  may  sound  incredible  that  when 
KoswcMl  took  a  wrong  course^,  he  should  be 
equally  fortunate^  or  unfortunate,  as  the  case 
may  be,  but  it  is  a  fact  that  while  groping 
tlirough  the  I'ugged  section,  with  no  defined 
idea  of  where  he  was,  he  caught  sight  of  Ike 
Hardman,  who  was  standing  in  a  narrow  pas- 
sage between  a  mass  of  boulders,  and  gazing 
intently  to  the  northward,  as  if  looking  or 
some  pei'son  or  awaiting  the  occurrence  of  an 
expected  event. 

271 


mw 


272 


TUE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


W 


w 


His  j)osition  was  willi  his  \vAt  side  toward 
Koswcll.  Since  he  had  ik;  ih^idly  weapon, 
while  the  hul  posst.'ssed  an  excellent  pistol,  it 
will  l)e  understood  that  Frank  felt  nothing  in 
the  nature  of  fear.  He  counted  himself  fortu- 
nate that  ln'  had  again  caught  sight  of  bis 
man,  witiiout  betraying  himself,  and  it  looked 
as  if  \nt  had  only  to  kee[)  his  eyes  open  and  use 
ordinary  caution  to  attain  success. 

('rouching  behind  one  of  the  masses  of  stone, 
lioswell  removed  his  cap,  and  was  peering 
can'fully  out,  much  as  his  cousin  was  doing  at 
that  very  moment,  when  Hard  man  waved  his 
hand  in  front  of  his  face,  turned  and  walked 
a  few  steps,  moving  slightly  to  the  left  and 
remaining  in  sight,  until  he  had  passed  some 
twenty  paces.  Then  he  came  to  an  abrupt 
halt,  looked  cautiously  around,  and,  stooping 
down,  scrutinized  something  in  front  of  him. 

While  watching  his  actions,  the  lad  received 
a  shock,  for  he  caught  sight  of  an  irregular 
opening  before  the  face  of  the  fellow.  It  was 
three  or  four  feet  in  diameter  and  the  black- 
ness beyond  showed  that  it  led  to  some  cavity 
or  hollow  among  the  rocks. 

"  There's  where  our  gold  is  hidden ! "  was 


IN  A  HOLE. 


273 


the  thought  tluit  fairly  took  away  the  breath 
of  Tvoswell  Pahner. 

It  was  a  thrilling  thought,  for  this  was  the 
grand  (liscovei'v  that  he  was  to  signal  to  Frank 
Mansley.  Without  ;m  instant's  hesitation,  he 
pointed  his  revolvtr  into  the  air  and  dis- 
charged one  of  the  el-anihers.  Then  he  ran 
forward,  intending  to  hold  Ike  Jlardman  a  pris- 
oner until  the  arrival  of  Frank. 

"  Hands  np  !     Vou  won't  lool  me  again " 

But  that  is  just  what  Ilardnian  did.  Prob- 
ably he  had  learned  that  neither  of  the  boys 
was  as  ready  to  use  his  deadly  weapon  as  lie 
pretended,  for  the  seainj),  ducking  his  head,  as 
if  to  dodge  a  coming  I)unet,  ran  and  climbed 
and  tund)led  and  crept  and  leaped  for  sevei'al 
rods  when  he  was  lost  to  sight.  The  happy 
Roswell  laughed. 

"  Almost  scared  to  death  ;  well,  1  don't  know 
but  that  it  is  best  he  should  leave,  for  he 
would  prove  only  a  bother." 

All  a-flutter  with  excitement  and  the  highest 

hope,  the   youth  hastened  along  the  narrow, 

irregular  passage  to   the   opening  which    had 

caught  his  attention  a  short   time   before.     It 

proved  what  he  suspected,— a  door  into  a  subter- 
i8 


w 


w 


l>74 


THE  youya  aoiD  seekers. 


li . 

1'} 


ih  ■ 


ranean  cavern  of  unknown  depth  and  extent. 
He  leaned  forward  and  peered  into  the  gloom, 
but  could  see  nothini'of  the  interior. 

In  his  flurried  state,  he  forgot  al)out  the 
agr(MMuent  that  aftei'  liring  his  wea[)on  as  a  call 
to  his  cousin,  he  was  to  follow  it  by  shouting, 
so  as  to  make  sure  there  was  no  niistak(3  as  to 
the  course  to  follow.  ('(M'tain  that  th(3  bags  of 
gold  were  as  good  as  recovei'cd,  Jioswell  drew  a 
match  fi'om  his  pockc  t  ignit(Hl  it  against  tlie 
rough  stone  on  his  right,  and  then  di<)pj)ed  it 
into  the  gloom. 

The  tiny  blaze  exj)ired  the  instant  it  left  his 
hand,  for  he  bad  been  hastv  aiul  careless. 
Drawing  a  second  match,  he  was  more  guarded. 
Although  there  seemed  no  breath  of  air  stir- 
ring, he  shaded  the  little  twist  of  llame  with 
his  palm  and  leaned  far  inward,  while  waiting 
for  the  blaze  to  grow.  At  the  moment  be  was 
about  to  drop  it  into  the  darkness  he  heard  a 
slight  noise  behind  liim.  Conscious  of  his 
reckless  course,  for  he  was  lenninf^dane-erouslv 
far  over,  he  turned  to  recover  his  balance.  At 
the  instant  of  the  atlem])t,  Im^  could  not  have 
been  more  at  disadvantage,  and  it  was  just 
then  that  lu^  caui»lit  a  chucklinu'  sound  and  re- 


IN  A  HOLE. 


275 


roWoi]  so  vifrorons  a  shove  that  ho  pitched  for- 
ward into  tiic  darkness  whieh  iie  liad  l)een 
strivin;,^  to  jxMietrate  with  liis  h'^^iilrd  match. 

In  short  his  exj)(M'i(Mic(>  \v;is  luuch  the  same 
as  that  of  Ids  cousin,  for  wliihj  Ins  wlioI(>  atten- 
tion was  riveted  i>\\  wh;it  wns  in  front,  his 
enemy  had  sh'pixMl  np  behind  and  *•  Hanked" 
iiim.  !n  the  case  of  Roswell,  the  catast roplie 
was  so  sudden  that  he  was  can^lit  comuletelv 
at  fauh.  lie  clutched  at  the  si(h's  of  tlieo[)en- 
ing,  as  he  was  shoved  olf  his  l)akinc(',  hut  coukl 
not  check  Jiimscif  and  (h>wn  he   went. 

In  that  sin«iie  liorrihK)  moment,  theterrilied 
youth  expected  to  he  dashed  U>  (U'atli,  Imt  to 
his  amazement,  he  dcscenihMl  h'ss  tlian.  a  (h>zen 
feet  and  aliuhtcd  in  an  upright  posture,  s(j  tliat 
he  was  only  jarred.  The  unexpected  dehver- 
ance  sent  a  shock  tliroui^h  his  bein«.;-,  and  he 
stood  for  a  few  seconds  dazed  and  half  i)eHev- 
ing  he  was  the  victim  of  a  hideous  dream. 
But  ho  was  roused  \)y  a  voice  from  al)ove  wliich 
he  could  not  mistake. 

"  "^^"'il?  younk(M',  being-  as  you've  been  huntint'- 
for  the  yallcr  stuff,  s'j)os(^  you  bunk  in  witii  it. 
Good-bye,  sweetheart,  "-ood-bve." 
The    exasperated    vouth    whipued 


I :. 


ippc 


his 


276 


THE  YOUSa  (.OLD  sKEKKIiS. 


>    ' 


I  r 


li 


weapon  and  pointin^^  iipw.ii'd,  let  fly  with  one 
cliiiMibi'i',  liopin^'  lie  would  hit  the  miscreant 
who  had  l)i'oUL;ht  this  niisfoi'tune  upon  liim ; 
hut  Isaac  Ilai'dnian  was  not  the  one  to  serve  as 
a  tai'get  wh(,'n  he  saw  any  method  of  avoiding 
it.  lie  took  verv  <j'ood  care  while  utterin<»"  his 
tau!it  to  keep  l)eyon(l  i-each  of  any  wandering 
bullet.  He  had  cau^'ht  the  young  mjin  fairly 
and  was  quite  content  to  depart  and  leave  him 
to  care  for  himself  as  best  h(^  could. 

-  It  took'  but  a  few  moments  for  Roswell  to 
understand  what  had  occurred.  Then,  without 
shifting  his  position,  he  drew  the  little  rubber 
safe  from  his  pocket  and  ignited  another  match, 
ndiich  h(i  held  above  his  head  and  peered 
around  in  the  darkness. 

The  discovei'y  was  interesting,  but  in  one 
respect,  a  sad  disappointment.  The  under- 
gi'ound  cavern  of  which  he  was  anything  but 
a  willing  occup;int,  was  eight  or  ten  feet  in 
diameter,  the  contour  naturally  being  very 
irregular,  while  it  was  perhaps  a  little  more 
than  twelve  feet  from  the  floor  to  the  opening 
above,  through  which  he  had  made  his  ingress. 
It  was  dry,  vimw  cold,  and,  without  any  other 
outlet,  so  far  as  he  could  tell. 


l-f 


IN  A   HOLE. 


211 


Not  until  liis  proi-ipitato  eiitninco,  did  Ros- 
well  doubt  that  1h'  Jiad  discovered  the  hidiii^r. 
phice  of  the  stolen  -old.  It  was  a  woeful  dis- 
appointment, therefore,  when  the  ni:.teh  illu- 
mined the  interior,  and  peering-  around,  he  saw 
that  it  held  ahsolutely  nothing,  h.^side  himself. 
There  was  not  so  mueh  as  a  twi-  leaf,  blade 
of  orass,  or  tn-en  a  j)iece  of  dirt. 

''This  was  where  the  thieves  meant  to  put 
the  gold,"  was  the  bitter  reflection  of  the 
youth,  and,  if  [  jiad  not  fired  my  i-evolver, 
Frank  ami  [  would  have  had  all  the  stuff  safe 
in  our  hamls.  llardman  was  makino-  some 
kiml  of  examination,  and  \  was  in  too  much  of 
a  hurry.  It  does  seem  as  if  we  might  as  well 
give  up  trying  to  recover  the  money  and  make 
up  our  minds  that  it  is  gone  forever.^' 

It  \vas  foi'tunate  porhai)s,  that  another  (jues- 
tion  forced  itself  upon  his  attention.  He  had 
truly  gotten  himself  into  a  hole,  and  it  re- 
mained for  him  to  settle  how  he  was  to  get 
out  of  it. 


a 


rm  the  ass  that  has   fallen  into  the 


was  his  grim  reflection,  "  and  th 
to  pull  me  out." 
Standing  thus  at  the  bottom  of  the 


pit 


» 


ere  is   no  one 


\^ 


cavern, 


T^ 


278 


riiK  y(Kr.\f;  (;(>Ln  skkkkhh. 


W 


he  l)iirno(l  m;itch  iiftcr  iniitcli,  wliilc  liu  piMMvd 
around  and  iK'caiiu'  t'aiiiiliai'  with  iho  interior. 
Then  lie  nioV(*d  about,  lioldin^-  llic  tiny  bla/.e 
in  one  hand,  while  lie  «^ro})('d  t'orwar<l  witli  th«^ 
other  and  examined  the  llinty  wad.  The  eon- 
ehision  he  reached  was  tiiat  if  th(3  cavt'rn  had 
bt.'en  a  hunih'ed  feet  (h.'ej),  witli  walls  of  gla>.s, 
lie  Would  not  have  Ix^en  in(jre  inextricahlv  en- 
trapix'd  than  he  was  in  thiseoniparatively  shal- 
low j)it. 

While  the  sides  were  rou;[^h  and  uneven,  with 
numerous  excrescences,  there  was  none  that 
alTorded  enough  su[)i)ort  for  him  to  climb  to 
the  entrance,  nor  was  thei'e  any  nutans  within 
ri'ach  that  lie  could  use  in  making  his  exit. 
Foldin<^'  his  jirms  and  leaning  back  against  the 
side  of  the  cavern,  he  looked  u[)\vard  at  t!ie 
raggeii  opening  through  which  he  could  see  the 
soft  blue  sky,  and  speculated  witii  himself  ovi'r 
what  wa.-.  to  be  the  outcome  of  his  curious 
situation. 

AVhile  the  dilemma  of  the  youth  was  a  grave 
one,  it  was  one  of  those  misfortunes  that  could 
have  been  far  worse.  In  the  iirst  ])lace,  neither 
Ike  Ilardman  nor  his  com[)anion  really  sought 
the  Ufe  of  either  lad,  thouiih  it  is  not  to  be 


7.V  A   HULK. 


M    >     (7 


supposed  they  would  Iuivl.  uiourned  tlu'ir  tak- 
ing oil'.  Jt  is  [)i'ob;il)le  that  Ilarthuan  know 
soinethin^r  of  tlu3  dcptii  of  tlio  cavern,  when  he 
pushed  lioswell  into  it,  and  the  taunt  he  utt<M'0(I 
l)rovcd  he  did  not  expect  the  fall  seri<nisly  to 
hurt  him. 

It  has  been  sliown  tliat  tlie  prisoner  could 
not  possibly  extricate  himself  without  help,  lie 
took  it  for  <^ranted  that  the  rei)ort  of  the  re- 
volver had  been  heard  by  Frank  and  he  would 
soon  reach  the  vicinity.  Should  he  do  so,  he 
would  11  nd  some  way  of  pulling"  his  cousin  out 
of  the  hole. 

Recalling  th;it  he  had  failed  to  shout  to  him, 
Roswell  now  did  what  he  ccmld  to  repair  his 
oversin-ht.  lie  called  his  n;ime  at  the  top  of 
his  voice,  and  when,  after  waiting-  awhile,  that 
brought  no  I'esponse,  lie  discharged  a  chamber 
of  his  revolver,  after  which  he  waited  a  lon<'" 
time,  continually  looking  up  at  the  openintr 
and  listening  for  the  reply  of  his  friend,  but  it 
came  not. 

'•  I  am  so  shut  in,"  ho  truthfullv  concluded, 
*'  that  he  could  not  hear  my  voice  or  the  pistol 
a  hundred  yards  off,  but  he  will  drift  here  after 
awhile." 


;  B' 


II?: 


280 


TUE  Yi)l.\<^  (iolJ)  SKKKElis. 


Still,  as  he  tlioii^lit,  it  might  he  that  his 
chum  would  go  astray  and  })usli  his  search  in 
some  other  (|uarter.  Naturally  his  thoughts 
next  turned  to  Jeff  (iraham  and  Tim  McCahe. 
If  th(*v  ware  on  their  return,  as  there  was  rea- 
son  to  believe  was  the  case,  they  would  join  in 
the  hunt  and  they  ought  to  succeed  in  locating 
him.  At  most,  Koswell  would  be  subjected 
only  to  an  unpleasant  delay.  The  lou'^  after- 
noon  would  not  draw  to  a  close  for  a  number 
of  hours.  It  might  be  he  wouhl  have  to  sjxMid 
a  night  in  the  cave.  It  would  be  very  uncom- 
fortable, for,  while  the  temperatui'e  out- 
side was  moderate,  it  was  wry  cold,  as  we 
have  stated,  even  at  this  bi'ief  distance  under 
ground.  To  spend  a  night  there  would 
subject  him  to  suffering  from  which  he 
shrank. 

AVithout  dwelling  upon  his  misery  which  in- 
creased as  time  ])assed,  it  may  l)e  said  that  his 
mood  finally  became  desperate. 

He  had  several  charges  left  in  the  chamber 
of  his  revolver,  and  holding  it  as  high  above 
his  head  as  he  could  reach,  so  as  to  bring  the 
muzzle  comparatively  near  the  opening,  he 
fired  three  barrels,  with  a  brief  interval  be- 


ly  A  HOLE. 


281 


f 


tween  each.  TIkmi  \h}  sliuved  the  weapon  back 
into  his  hip  pocket  and  listened. 

*'  Ilelloa,  (h)wn  there  I  " 

It  was  the  voicoof  Fi-ank,  heaven  be  thanked, 
and,  looking  upward,  Koswcll  saw  the  head 
and  shoulders  of  his  friend,  as  he  pe<  ,•(>(!  tiown 
into  the  gloom.     He  instantly  called  back  : 

'•  Ves  ;  it  is  I  ;  why  didn't  voii  conn;  be- 
fore i  " 

"  Why  didn't  you  tell  jne  you  had  moved 
into  a  new  house  (     Are  you  hurt  ^  " 

"Yes;  my  feelings  are  huic  ;  what  made 
you  so  long-  rominir  if  " 

"  Didn't  know  where  to  look  for  you  ;  what 
are  you  doing  down  there  anyway  i  " 

"  AVaiting  for  vou." 

"  I  sup[)ose  your  foot  slipped  and  you  made 
a  drop  ;  do  you  want  to  come  out  i  " 

"  Oh,  no  ;  I  enjoy  it  so  much,  I  should  like 
to  stay  for  a  few  weeks  ;  wouldn't  vou  like  to 
join  ine  I  " 

"  No,  I  thank  you,  but  I  say,  Koswell,  this  is 
a  queer  go  ;  can't  you  climb  out  ?  " 

"That's  a  fino  question,"  replied  the  pris- 
oner, a  little  impatiently  ;  "  do  you  fancy  I 
took  up  my  quarters  here,  by  choice  ?  " 


2S2 


TUE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEIJKEIiS. 


f. 


- '-,  !  I 

If  I 


-I 


"  Well,  my  dear  fellow,  Tin  ready  to  give 
you  a  lift,  as  soon  as  I  cnii  lind  a  way  of  doino: 
it ;  are  any  of  the  canvas  bags  down  there  with 
you  (  " 

''  Canvas  bags  be  hanged  I  There's  nothing 
here  but  me  ;  reach  down  the  stock  of  your 
ritie  and  let  me  catch  hold  of  it." 

"  Roswell,  I  don't  happen  to  have  it  with  nie." 

"  Don't  happen  to  have  it  with  you  ?  "Where 
is  it  "i " 

"  Don't  ask  so  many  bothersome  questions  ; 
can't  I  reach  vour  hand  ?  " 

By  way  of  answer,  lloswell  ignited  another 
match  and  held  it  in  front  of  his  face,  that  his 
cousin  might  locate  him.  By  its  glare,  Frank 
saw  the  vellow  reflection  a^^ainst  the  counte- 
nance  of  his  comrade,  who,  he  perceived,  was 
too  far  below  to  be  reached  by  the  means  sug- 
gested. 

Put  Frank  was  busy  thinking. 

"  Suppose  I  let  myself  down  by  my  hands, 
holding  fast  to  the  sides  of  the  opening ;  you 
can  catch  hold  of  mv  feet  and  1  will  draw  us 
both  u})." 

"  Let's  think  about  that  a  minute,  Frank  ; 
Fni  afraid  it  won't  work." 


IN  A  HOLE. 


283 


» 


Reflection  convinced  both  that  the  phin  was 
not  feasil)le.  The  ahnost  certain  result  would 
be  that  wlien  Iloswcll  sprang  idoft  and  grasped 
the  ankles  of  his  cousin,  he  would  tlrag  him 
down  into  the  cavern.  x\t  any  rate,  it  was 
impossible  even  for  one  so  athletic  as  Frank 
ALansley  to  pull  himself  and  the  dead  weioht 
tlu'ough  the  opening,  whose  sides  otfered  oniv 
an  insecure  hold  for  his  hands. 

''  No  ;  it  won't  work,"  remarked  Frank,  after 
they  had  discussed  the  (piestion  ;  ''  if  we  try  it, 
we  shall  both  be  caught  in  the  trap  ;  then,  if 
Jeff  and  Tim  do  not  come  back'  for  a  week  or 
so,  what  a  fine  time  we  should  have  starving 
to  death  and  dying  of  thirst." 

"  Besides  freezing  ;  it  is  dreadfully  cold  down 
here;  I  don't  understand  why  you  didn't  bring 
your  Winchester." 

"  I  do  ;  I'll  explain  after  you  are  out  of  that 
hole  ;  ril  go  to  the  cabin  and  get  a  rope." 

"  That  seems  to  be  the  only  thing,  but  how 
long  Will  it  take  you  i  " 

I'll  be  back  in  a  few  days,"  replied   Frank, 
not  help  seeing  more  humor  in  the 


u 


^ho 


could 
situation  than  his  friend 


(( 


Are  you  sure  you  can  find  the  way  ?    You 


I  ( 


1 1 


Pf 


WW 


284 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


>    ' 


f  I 


don't  know  how  tired  I  am  of  being  shut  in 
here." 

"  Now,  keej)  up  courage,  old  fellow  ,  you 
know  I  will  be  as  quick  as  1  cini ;  I  think  I  can 
make  it  inside  of  half  an  hour." 

"  All  right ;  off  with  you  ;  take  a  look  at  the 
outside,  so  you  will  remember  the  place." 

"  Don't  fret  over  that ;  I'm  off  ;  good-bye." 

And  Frank  disappeared.  His  sympathy  for 
his  companion  was  deep,  and  he  could  l)e 
counted  upon  to  do  everything  in  his  power 
to  relieve  him  from  his  unpleasant  predica- 
ment. 

"  It's  mighty  queer  how  he  got  into  that 
hole ;  he  couldn't  have  fjiUen  in,  for  the  open- 
ing is  at  the  side  instead  of  under  foot.  That 
other  scamp  must  have  had  something  to  do 
with  it.  What  a  success  we  are  makin^i:  a^'ainst 
them !  "  he  added  grimly  ;  "  everything  we 
undertake  goes  wrong.  There's  no  use  of  our 
trying  to  do  anything  until  Jeff  and  Tim  get 
back." 

Frank  was  only  a  short  distance  from  the 
cavern,  when  he  abruptly  paused.  Directly 
across  the  course  he  was  following,  lay  a  pine 
sapling,  probably  twenty   feet  in  length.     It 


I 


IN  A  HOLE. 


285 


1^ 


had  been  uprooted  months  bel'ore  by  a  gale  and 
was  withered  and  dead,  with  the  branches  pro- 
trudin-  f,o,n  witliin  a  short  distance  of  the 
base  to  the  very  top,  where  of  course,  they  were 
small  and  weak. 

After  contemplating  it  for  a  minute,  Frank 
said  to  himself  : 

''  I  don't  see  why  that  isn't  as  good  as  a  rope, 
if  not  better." 

Taking  out   his  jack-knife,  he  began   trim- 
ming the  branches,  cutting  off  merely  the  ends 
and  leaving  the  main  portions  near  the  trunk, 
so  that  they  could  be  used  in  helping  to  climb 
out  of  the  cavern.     It  was  quite  a  talk,  but  by 
working  hard,  he  soon  had  the  primitive  ladder 
in  good  sliape.     Tn  falling,  the  sapling  had  re- 
mained fastened  at  the  roots,  so  that  the  hard- 
est  task  was  to  wrench  it  loose.     By  grasping 
the  upper  portion  and  twisting  it^  back  and 
forth,  be  managed  to  free  it,  and,  full  of  hope, 
started  to  drag  it  back  to  the  cavern. 

He  had  dismissed  Ilardman  and  his  confed- 
erate from  his  thoughts,  and  did  not  care 
whether  or  not  they  knew  what  was  going  on. 
He  had  rallied,  too,  in  a  great  measure  from  the 
oppression  caused  by  the  loss  of  the  gold.     In 


i 


286 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


truth,  his  whole  sympathy  went  out  to  his 
cousin,  for  he  could  not  forget  that  he  had 
been  in  his  prison  for  a  long  time. 

Meanwhile,  lioswell  had  resigned  himself  to 
wait  patiently  for  the  return  of  his  friend ; 
but,  sooner  than  he  expected,  he  heard  his 
cheery  voice  overhead. 

"  Ilello,  old  fellow,  are  you  still  down  there  ? " 

"  If  you  can't  tliink  of  jiny  sensible  questions 
to  ask,  don't  ask  any  ;  how  could  I  help  being 
down  here  i '' 

"  That's  as  foolish  a  question  as  mine,  but 
I've  got  something  better  than  a  rope ;  stand 
from  under  1 " 


\- 


( > 


CHAPTER  xxyn. 


A    LIOX    IX    THE   PATH. 

Tfte  hutt  of  the  Avithered  pine  was  shoved 
downward  throiio-h  the  opening  of  ti.e  cavern, 
and  when  it  rested  almost  perpendicular]  v  upon 
the  flinty  bottom,  the  top  still  protruded  a 
number  of  feet  tliroug-h  the  door,  as  if  while 
growing  in  this  sidelong  fashion  it  had  been 
pushed  deep  into  the  rocky  earth. 

''Be  careful,"  called  Frank,  steadving  the 
toj)  as  best  he  could,  "  for  it  may  break^vith 
your  weight." 

The  task  was  not  a  severe  one,  though  it 
required  care  and  caution.  The  vouth  could 
be  heard  breathing  hard,  as  the  skpling  bent 
beneath  his  weight,  but  by  and  bv  his  pale, 
determined  face  emerged  into  the  sunlight,  and 
catching  the  hand  stretched  down  to  aid^him, 
Roswell  was  jerked  so  vigorouslv  forward  that 
he  sprawled  on  his  knees,  but  rising  to  his  feet, 

287 


f 


I 


Jk 


w 


TW 


288 


THE  YOUNG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


Mi 


h 


brushed  off  his  clothing,  none  the  worse  for 
his  mishap. 

"  Now,  Roswell,  tell  me  how  under  the  sun 
you  came  to  be  in  there." 

"  I  will,  after  you  have  told  me  how  it  is  you 
haven't  your  Winchester  with  you,"  replied 
the  cousin,  who  held  certain  suspicions  of  his 
own. 

Frank  threw  back  his  head  and  laughed 
heartily. 

"  It's  a  bargain  ;  I  ought  to  be  ashamed  of 
myself  and  I  am." 

He  then  related  the  incident  which  is  familiar 
to  the  reader,  and  it  was  to  his  credit  that  he 
made  the  story  as  unfavorable  to  himself  as  he 
could,  for  he  knew  that  Koswell  had  something 
as  bad,  if  not  worse,  to  tell.  He,  too,  did  not 
spare  himself  in  narrating  how,  when  he  was 
gazing  into  the  gloom  of  the  cave,  he  was 
shoved  downward  by  Hardman,  who  stole  up 
behind  him.  Frank  waited  until  he  had  fin- 
ished and  then  solemnly  extended  his  hand. 
Koswell  grasped  it.  Both  smiled  and  for  a 
moment  did  not  speak.  The  action  was  elo- 
quent without  words. 

"  My  great  mistake,"  added  Koswell,  after  a 


A  LION  IN  THE  PATH. 


289 


for 


pause,  "  was  in  firing  my  revolver  when  I  did, 
for  it  gave  liardman  warning ;  but  I  was  as 
sure  as  I  could  be  that  I  had  found  the  place 
where  the  gold  was  hidden." 

"  I  don't  wonder  tliat  vou  thoucjht  so :  1 
should  have  felt  the  same,  but  you  foro-ot  to 
shout.  I  heard  tlie  report  of  your  pistol,  but 
it  came  wlieu  1  was  not  ex|)ecting  anything  of 
the  kind,  and,  to  save  my  life,  I  could  not  tell 
the  point  from  which  it  came  ;  I  went  back  to 
the  cabin,  intending  to  wait  until  you  re- 
turned, but,  after  awhile,  I  grew  so  uneasy 
that  I  set  out  to  hunt  for  you.  It  was 
Providence  that  brought  me  straight  to  this 
place." 

"  There's  no  doubt  of  that,"  replied  Roswell 
thoughtfully  ;  "  I  tell  you,  Frank,  though  we 
have  failed  to  find  the  gold,  wo  have  a  good  deal 
for  which  to  l)e  thankful ;  we  have  been  in  all 
sorts  of  danger  and  have  come  out  without  a 
scratch.  Besides,  do  you  know  that  I  feel  more 
hopeful  of  getting  back  this  stuff  than  I  have 
at  any  time  since  it  was  stolen." 

"  It  nuiy  be  you  are  right,  though  I  can't 

feel  just  as  you  do  ;  tell  me  on  what  you  base 

your  hope." 
19 


I 


290 


THE  VOUNd  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


I  ^ 


■ 

J 

t 

"  Now,"  i'ej)lie(l  Koswoll,  glancing  furtively 
around,  witiiout  seeing  anything  of  the  tliieves, 
"they  have  kejit  watch  of  us  all  the  time  and 
know  everythini^  we  have  done;  they  niav 
ijav(^  thought  you  had  given  u])  awhile  ago, 
l)ut  they  don't  think  so  now  ;  they  will  believe 
we  are  going  to  keep  up  our  search  and  they 
wont  get  the  chance  to  move  the  gold  to  some 
other  place." 

"  IIow  about  taking  it  to-night?  " 

"  There  are  not  many  hours  of  darkness  and 
we  shall  be  likely  to  discover  them  if  they  try 
it." 

"  But,  Rosw(  11,  you  forget  we  are  no  more 
able  to  tell  where  the  gold  is  than  the  man  in 
the  moon  ;  all  those  fellows  have  to  do  is  to 
hide  themselves  until  we  all  leave  the  country 
and  the  coast  is  clear." 

Roswell  was  thoughtful. 

"  I  haven't  forgotten  that,  and  if  they  take 
that  course  1  don't  see  how  we  can  recover  our 
property  ;  but  I  have  heard  that  when  a  man 
does  a  thing  like  this,  he  becomes  rattled  and 
nervous,  and  is  sure  to  make  some  foolish 
blunder  that  brings  all  his  plans  to  naught. 
Perhaps,  if  with  the  help  of  Jeff  and  Tim,  we 


A  LION  IS  THE  PATH. 


291 


continue  Imntinn-  tln-ouol,  this  neigbborhooci  we 
shall  discover  the  secret." 

Fi-ank  shook  his  head  with  a  smile. 

"  That  isn't  the  way  they'll  work  it." 

"  AViiat  plan  can  they  follow  {  " 

"  Let  JelF  or  Tim  once  get  within  reach  of 
either  or  both  of  the  thieves  and  he  will  make 
them  tell  all  we  want  to  know." 

"It  would  be  strange  now,  if  they  liad  got 
back  to  the  cabin  after  you  left   to  look  for 


me. 


V 


"It  may  very  well  be  ;  Jeff  will  l^e  sure  to 
run  against  Tim  in  Dawson  befoi-e  he  is  fairly 
started  on  his  spree,  and  he  will  yank  him  back 
here  in  no  time.  U  he  has  done  that,  he  ought 
to  arrive  in  a  hurrv." 

"Then  it  wouhl  seem  that  the  best  thing  we 
can  do  is  to  keep  up  the  hunt  until  they  return  ; 
so  long  as  we  are  moving  about  among  these 
hills,  the  thieves  will  jiot  dare  to  remove  the 
gold." 

The  boys  had  learned  that  one  of  the  easiest 
things  in  the  world  is  to  theorize  when  con- 
fronted 


kF 


a  problem  as  troubled   tl 


lem, 


ances 


and  they  had  learned  also   that   the   ch 
were  that  all  such  theorizing  would  miscarry 


T^ 


292 


77/A'  YOUNG  UOLi)  SEEKERS. 


hut  thero  was  a  certain  vein  <>f  lof^ic  in  the  plan 
sui'-y'cstcd  and  tluiv  decided  to  try  it. 

"  1  tliiniv  it  is  not  wise  to  pai't  company 
a<^ain,''  reniarived  Koswell,  a  few  moments 
later. 

"  It  nii<^iit  be  better,  but  we'll  stick  together 
after  this ;  vou  know  there  is  no  chance  of  our 
doing  anytliing  more  than  kee[)  matters  warm 
for  Jeir  and  Tim  ;  we  may  be  able  to  do  that 
through  to-morrow,  l)ut  I  don't  believe  any 
longer.     Su|)})()se  we  look  around." 

Ere  this,  both  had  become  aware  of  their 
mistake  over  the  points  of  the  com])ass, 
and  were  willing  to  admit  it.  The  sun  was 
now  so  well  down  in  the  sky,  and  their  reckon- 
ing liad  been  so  recti  lied  bv  their  own  move- 
ments,  that  they  were  in  no  fear  of  going 
M stray.  The}^  decided  to  prciss  further  into  the 
L  .s,  taking  a  course  that  led  toward  the 
mountain  spur  to  the  eastward,  as  if  they 
meant  to  push  their  search  there. 

The  two  were  certain  they  were  still  under 
surveillance,  and  that  the  rescue  of  Roswell 
Palmer  was  known  to  the  thieves  as  soon  as  it 
took  ])lace.  They  moved  deliberately,  often 
pausing  and  looking  to  the  right  and  left  and 


A  LIO\  IX  Till':  rATll. 


'im 


indeed  in  all  directions.  One  object  of  all  this 
was  to  catch  sight  of  Hardnian  and  his  coni- 
panion,  but  the  two  niana^-ed  to  keep  out  of 
sight. 

By  a  common  impulse,  the  bo\'s  made  their 
way  toward  the  main  trail,  over  wliich  thev 
bad  passed  so  many  times  that  they  were 
familiar  with  it.  It  was  curious  tiiat  almost 
precisely  the  experience  of  a  couple  of  bours 
before  was  I'epeated,  for  while  making  their 
way  down  the  path,  and  just  after  passing  a 
bend  in  the  course,  they  caught  sight  of  Ike 
Ilardman  moving  stealthily  in  the  same  direc- 
tion with  themselves. 

"If  bo  doesn't  look  around,  we  may  capture 
him,"  whispered  Frank,  though  ])recisely  why 
they  should  want  to  make  him  prisoner  after 
their  experience  of  the  afternoon  he  mir^H 
have  found  it  hard  to  explain.  ^  ' 

But  it  was  not  to  be  expected  that  the  fellow 
had  forgotten  the  lessons  of  the  day.  He  kept 
glancing  in  all  directions,  to  the  rear  as  well  as 
the  front,  and  quickly  caught  sight  of  the 
youths.  It  will  be  remembered  that  he  carried 
no  weapon,  and  perhaps  the  memory  of  the 
trick  played  on  Roswell  Palmer  only  a  short 


I 


w 


w 


294 


77/A'  vorya  aoLi)  skkkkhs. 


i    f 


time  before  nuule  liiiii  dubious  about  iiieetins: 
the  youths.  He  (hirtetl  l\ji*\v;ii'(l  at  the  top  of 
his  s})ee(l  and,  favored  by  tlie  characi.er  of  the 
ground,  speedily  disappeared  from  sight. 

"  It  looks  as  if  he  is  going  back  to  our  cabin," 
said  Koswell. 

"  I  guess  he  suspects  he  ovcHooked  one 
of   the   nu«j:<;ets   and    wants  to  make  a  clean 


'OO 


sweep. 

"lie  has  no  reason  to  believe  he  can't " 

Both  stoi)[)ed,  for  at  that  moment  they  heard 
a  great  commotion  below  them,  and  looked  at 
each  other,  wondering  what  it  could  mean. 
Tlie  next  moment  it  became  apparent  that  Ike 
ITardman  had  come  in  collision  with  some  one 
coming  up  the  trail  from  the  other  diivction. 
Whoever  that  person  was  he  was  the  owner  of 
a  powerful  voice  which  he  was  using  with 
amazing  vigor. 

"  Bad  luck  to  ye !  Ye  are  the  spalpeen  I've 
been  looking  for !  That's  the  sthyle  ye  sittle 
up  for  the  money  ye  tuk  from  me  and  then 
robbed  the  bves  of  what  we  lift  in  their  care. 
Mister  Hardman,  I'll  take  no  advantage  of  ye, 
but  one  or  the  ither  of  us  has  got  to  take  the 
biggest  walloping  he  has  had  since  he  k  no  wed 


A    Lioy  I\   TIfK  PATH. 


295 


his  own  naiiu'.     Til  be  fair  wid  ye,  but   make 
haste." 

"  It's  Tim  !  "  exchiimed  Roswell ;  "  let's  hurry 
to  his  help!  " 

"  If  we  want  to  help  anybody  it  must  be  the 
other  fellow,"  replied  Frank ;  "  but  it's  worth 


seeing. 


»> 


The  two  broke  into  a  lope  for  the  spot 
whence  came  the  exclamations,  for  neither 
needed  any  enlightenment  as  to  the  nature  of 
the  scene  awaiting  them. 


CHAPTER  XXYIII. 


A  GENERAL  SETTLEMENT  OF  ACCOUNTS. 


i  I 


Quick  as  were  the  boys  in  hurrying  to  the 
point  where  they  heard  the  indignant  Tim, 
they  did  not  reach  it  until  the  affray  was  over. 
Wholly  subdued,  Ike  Hardman  begged  for 
mercy  at  the  hands  of  his  conqueror,  and  prom- 
ised to  do  anything  desired  if  he  received  con. 
sideration. 

It  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  wrath  of  a 
good  natured  person  is  more  to  be  feared  than 
his  who  is  of  less  equable  temperament.  The 
boys  had  never  seen  Tim  McCabe  in  so  danger- 
ous a  mood.  He  and  Jeff  Graham  had  returned 
to  the  cavern  shortly  after  the  departure  of 
Frank  Manslev  to  look  for  his  cousin,  and  it  did 
not  take  them  long  to  understand  what  had 
occurred.  They  set  out  over  the  same  trail, 
along  which  they  readily  discovered  the  foot- 
prints of  all  the  parties.  Tim,  in  his  angry  im- 
patience, outsped  his  more  stolid  companion, 

296 


"««■'  V»r 


A  GENERAL  SETTLEMEXT  OF  ACCOUNTS.    297 

anl  by -uudlortiUH'  caiuo  upon  ILirauuiii  while 
in  headlono.  fljo-ht  ,Vnvn  tlu'  uiountiiin  path. 

The  latter  tried  f„r  a  tii.u^  t.,  make  it  appear 
that  he  knew  iiothin-  „f  the  .-.Lstraction  of  the 
gohl  from  the  c-'erii,    hut    Tim    would    Juive 
none  of  it,  and  g-^ve  him  tW  choice  ui  coDduct- 
nii^-  tliem  to  tiie  place  where  it   was  concealed 
<•»•  of  undergoing  '•  ,,,p:,,i  punishment/"      Like 
ih.'  poltroon   that  1„.   v  as,    rL.rdman    insistcnl 
th;it   his  companion,    \'ictor   llcrzog,   was  the 
'• '.d  \rrongdoer,  but  he  offered  to  do  what  was 
'h--nianded,  only  imploring-  tliat  he  should  not  be 
harmed  for  his  evil  acts. 

Tim  extended  his  hand  and  took  the  revolver 
from  Frank  Mansley.  He  knew  it  was  loaded, 
and  he  said  to  his  prisoner : 

''  Lead  on,  and  if  ye  tliink  it  will  ])ay  yv  to 
ti-y  to  git  away  or  play  any  of  vcr  ti-i.'k 
try  it,  that's  all 
The  threat  w 


kS. 


wiiv 


f  ^ « 


from  Ilardmi 


is  sulhcient  to  banish  all  1 


in,  who  led  them  aloiM--  tl 


lopc 


H'  trail  a 


short  way,  then  turned  on  to  the  ])ilc  of  rnrk 


beside   which   Frank  had 
"t  time 
There 


befc 


1 
seen  him  stand 


in; 


)re. 


it  is  I"  he  said,  with 


sive  glance  at  his  captor, 


an  apprehen- 


I'i         !■ 


I 


WW 


*29s 


TiiK  Youyn  GO  J  J)  si:i':kers. 


''  Where?"  thundered  Tim  ;  "I  don'i  srr 
it  \" 

No  (hi'L'in!''  h;id  been  dun(3  bv  the  criminals, 
Ijut  ;i  bowlder  had  L)een  rolled  aside,  the  canvas 
bill's  (b'()[)ped  into  the  opening,  and  tlie  stone 
replaced,  as  he  (piickly  demonstrated. 

"'  Count  'em,  lioswell,"  said  Tim. 

l>oth  hoys  leaned  over,  and  moving  the 
heavy  sacks  about  so  as  not  to  miss  one,  an- 
nounced that  all  were  there. 

"  And  now  I  s'pose  I  may  go,"  whined 
Hai'dman. 

"  Xot  a  bit  of  it.  I  won't  make  c\  target  of 
ye  fer  tliis  gun,  but  ye  shall  remain  me  prisoner 
till  [  turn  ye  over  to  the  police." 

Thereupon  Ilardman  begged  so  piteously 
that  the  ])oys  interceded  and  asked  that  he  be 
allowed  to  mj,  but  Tim  stc  rnlv  bade  them  hold 
their  peac(\  The  bowlder  having  been  re- 
placed, while  he  glanced  around  to  fix  the  local- 
itv  in  his  memorv.  he  ordered  the  cav/cive  t(» 
precede  him  down  the  trail.  I'eminding  him  at 
the  same  lime  that  the  iirst  attempt  on  his 
part  to  esca})e  Avould  be  followed  by  the  instant 
discharge  of  the  revolver. 

Thus,  as  the  long  afternt)on  drew  to  a  close 


-1  ':kxeiul  settlkmext of Acvovxrs.  -I'M 

tlic  strange  procession  woun,!  its  «-av  ,lou„  ,],,, 
l»o«Ht;,in.    tl,o   ,,nson,.r    in    IVo„t.    i,is    ,.,n,t„is 

''"■'■'•ilyl«'lan,l.uithF,,u,k,.u„Il;„suvlll,rin... 
'".=^- •'!'  tl,e  rear.  Ti,e  l,oys  ta!l<,.l  in  ulns,,..,; 
'"It  sn„l   notiii,,..  ,„  tl,ei,.  ,Vi,„,|.  u|,„   was   i„ 

Nud.  u  stern  nioo,l  that  ll,er  slirauk  Iron,  s|,e,.,lc 
iii.;^'  to  him. 

Theys|Mvulate,lastothelateofII,.,.,„„.  the 
'"''-■'•crnuinal,  «-hoseenie,ltol,ave,.|r,.e,e,ll,is 

'■«-q>r.  hui  reealiedthat.Tein.rahan,  uaslilcelv 
'".  ';^'  :"^''  -""■"li".v  .-.Ion.,  the  i,a,h,  an.l  it 
""«  '*  '"'•  "'^''  ^i'i^  ''-I  "mnTe,!  n-irh  disastrous 
'•esults  to  tl,e  evil  fellou-,  for  it  uill  l,e  ,,.n,..n, 

^''■'■'' /''•■'^     '• M    ininer    was    „n,.    ,„■   ,„e 

few  who  always  <.arried  their  revolvers  u-,th 
then,  and  uonl,l  „ol  t.-ar  tl,e   \Vinel,ester. 

Thee.x-|„.eiatio„   of   ,1,„    |,„,,  „,,.,^    not  ,hsa,,. 
P"-te,i.      M'lH-aal,„ml,alfway,l,.u„the,ra,l 

,    •"  '■•"'"•■  '"  •^'■'T'.  ^^-1-  lia.l    his  ,nan  se,„,e 

ti,anhs  lo  the  . 00,1   fortune   whiel,  .,,v,.  hi,,,  a„' 

advantage  of  wl,ieh  h,.  i„st.autlv  avaii,.d  hiiuvlr 
Ucswelland    Kn.nk   M.ought   ti,at    u-|,e„  .|,.|r 

learned  tl,ut  all  tl,e  stohM.  go adlr..,,  ,.,eov 

<'>•«<•  1"'  "-ould  h,.  willing  to  .vlease  the  m^is- 
""'>-•«,  but  sueh  intention  uas  as  fa,.  f,.on,\i,„ 
aslro,nTi,„Meral„,     AVhile  he  had  no  cle.si,.e 


f7r 


*i 


300 


TIIK  rOiWG  GOLD  SEEKERS. 


m 


Hi 


p 


'  '  '    i 
[  M   ■ 


i.; 


li; 


for  revenge,  he  felt  it  would  be  wrong  to  set 
the  evil-doers  tVee,  und  he  knew  that  they 
would  j'eceivc  the  punishiHent  they  had  well 
earned  as  soon  as  placed  within  the  power  of 
the  law. 

It  was  hegin>-.ing  to  grow  dark  when  the 
party  reached  their  calun.  Just  befoi'e  reaching 
it  they  ci'ossed  the  pastui'ag(.'  gi'ound  of  the 
burro,  and  Jf^ff  Graham,  to  whom  the  cowaidiv 
llerzog  had  surrendered  tlie  Winchester  rifle, 
without  making  a  pretence  of  resistance  to  the 
demand,  lianded  the  weapon  lo  Tim  McCabe 
with  the  remark  : 

"  You  have  the  gun  and  know  it's  a  re- 
peater. ' ' 

The  Irishman  nodded  his  head. 

"  Keep  guard  over  tliese  fellows  till  I  come 
back;  it  won't  be  long. " 

"  I'll  do  the  same — on  that  ye  may  depind. '' 

The  massive  figure  swung  off  in  the  gkjom. 
lie  gave  no  intinuction  of  whitlier  he  was 
going,  and  no  one  could  guess,  except  that  he 
promised  shortly  to  return. 

A  few  minutes  after  his  departure,  both  Hard- 
man  and  llerzog  renewed  their  pleadings  for 
mercy — for  at  least  they  suspected  the  cause  of 


IV- 


A  GENERAL  SETTLEMEyT  OF  ACCOUNTS,     icl 

the  old   miner's  departure-but  Tim  cliecked 
them  so  promptly  tliiit  tliey  held  their  pi^ace. 

At  liis  suoo-estioii,  the  boys  started  a  (iiv  ;md 

began   preparing   supper.       They    liad    Iiar.Hy 

<'<)inpl(tol   the   task   when  Jeff  aralmm   iv;,))- 

peared  ami  he  brought  two  eonipanions   witi. 

liim.     Thougii   tliey   were  on  loot,  tlicv    wei-e 

members  of  tlie  mounted  police,  whose  horses 

u-ere  but  a  short  distance  away.     In  the  (Hs- 

charge   of   their  duties,  they   were  on  a  tour 

among  tlie  diggings  to  learn  whether  there  was 

any  call  for  their  services.     Jeff  ],ad  seen  them 

during  the  afternoon,  and  knew  where  to  look 

for  them. 

There  was  no  nonsense  about  those  sturdy 
fellows.     They  made  their  living  hy  compelling 
obedience  to  the  laws  of  theii-   country,   and 
were  always  prejiared   to  do  their  duty.     At 
tlie  suggestion  of  eTeff,  they  questioned  the  men, 
who  admitted  their  gu-'lt,   sui)j)lementing   the 
confession   with  another  appeal  for  clemency. 
Without  deigning  a  reply,  the  officers  sli])])ed 
handc-ffs  \x\)o\\  them,  and  declining  the  invita- 
tion to  lemain  to  supper,  depai'ted   with  their 
prisoners,  wliom  tliey  delivenMl  to  the  authori- 
ties   at    Dawson   Pity  on   tlie   following   day. 


;j(j;i 


TiiK  yorxa  aou)  s!:i:KKiiS. 


E. 

\  '. 

Iiu 

:  •  •<*?,!  ■: 

>r''.. 

■>h-. 

L.A 

'  >• ''                 ',: 

|v 

;1 

i  >l 


■ 


Since  tliey  had  admitted  tiicir  guilt,  our  friends 
were  not  r(M|uir(Hl  to  appi'iii'  as  witnesses,  and 
the  case  iiiav  Imj  closed  hv  the  statement  that 
Ilardman  and  ilei'Zog  received  the  full  punish- 
ment which  they  deservx'd. 

When  the  evening  meal  was  lluished,  the  men 
and  hovs  i'em;iine<i  outside  in  tlie  C(K)1,  clear 
air,  tlie  I'oi'iner  smoking  tlieir  ])i[)es,  and  all  dis- 
cussing the  stirring  events  of  the  day.  The 
boys  confessed  their  neglect  in  failing  to  make 
known  the  presence  of  Ilerzog  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, because  the  fact  was  dris^en  from  their 
minds  by  their  excitement  over  the  disco v^ery 
of  gold. 

"Had  we  done  as  we  ought,"  said  Frank, 
"  it  isn't  likely  this  would  have  Iiap})ened." 

"  I'^ou  are  right,''  I'cplied  Jeff,  "for  we 
should  have  been  more  watchful." 

"  And  wasn't  it  oursilves  that  was  careless, 
anyway,  in  laying  so  much  wiltli  where  imy 
one  could  git  at  the  same  ?"  asked  Tim. 

"  Yes,"  admitted  the  old  miner,  "  but  things 
are  diffei'ent  here  from  what  thev  was  in  the 
earlv  davs  in  Californv,  and  vou  can  see  that 
these  two  men  are  the  only  ones  that  would 
steal  our  stuff. ' ' 


'*  At  prisint  tJiov  ^-i-nu  f     i 
'■•i-I  to  cb  the  sa„L''"  "■'■"'''''■'''-- 


^•y 


»   ' 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 


UOXCLUSION. 


i  I 


i  i 


1:1       I 


There  was  little  sleep  that  night  in  the  cav- 
ern home  of  the  gold-soekevs.  Tlie  fact  that 
the  whole  crop  of  tlie  ])recious  stuff  w^as  the 
better  part  of  a  mile  away  in  the  mountains, 
even  though  apparently  safe,  caused  every  one 
to  feel  uneasy.  In  addition  was  tlie  announce- 
ment  of  Jeff  Graham,  the  leader,  that  their 
work  in  the  Klondike  region  was  ended.  In 
keeping  with  his  habit  of  making  known  only 
that  which  was  necessary,  he  gave  no  explana- 
tion, and  his  friends  were  left  to  speculate  and 
surmise  among  themselves.  All,  however, 
suspected  the  truth. 

At  early  dawn  Tim  McCabe  and  the  boys 
started  up  the  trail,  leading  the  burro.  The 
old  miner  remained  behind,  saying  that  he  ex- 
pected comj)any  and  his  help  wiis  not  needed 
in  recuvei'ing  the  pilfered  gold.     The  anxiety 

of  the  men  and  boys  did  not  lessen  until  they 
304 


coycL  usioy. 


306 


he  cav- 
:'t  that 
'as  the 
ntains, 
ry  one 
ounce- 
'  their 
1.     In 
n  on]y 
plana- 
be  and 
rever, 

boys 
The 

le  ex- 

seded 

xietv 

they 


^J 


reached  the  well-ivmeinlKn-ed  spot  and  found 
the  canvas  bags  intact.  Tiiey  were  caivfully 
loaded  upon  the  strong  back  of  tlie  animal, 
secured  in  place,  and  the  honuMvaid  j,>urn('y 
beo-un.  Frank  and  Roswdl  walked  at  tho 
'•ear,  tc  make  sure  none  of  the  -,,1,]  w;,s  !ost. 
In  due  time  they  reached  their  pi-imitiv  home, 
\vith  nil  their  wealth  in  hand. 

To  their  surprise,  Jrff  was  absent.  The  re- 
cent experience  of  the  tiiree  confirmed  them 
in  their  resolution  not  to  leave  tlie  nu-ovts  and 
dust  unguarded  for  a  single  horn-.  WMlr  s.,me 
were  at  work  in  the  diggings,  onent  l.>.ist  would 
be  at  the  cavern  on  the  Avatch  against  dishonest 
visitoi's.  It  was  agreed  that  Tim  and  nosxvdl 
should  go  to  tli(?  little  valley  to  ivsnmi.  work, 
^vhile  Frank  with  the  Winchestei'  and  smaller 
weapon  acted  as  sentinel. 

As  the  two  were  on  the  point  of  setting  out, 
•I'^fT  Graham  appeared  with  two  well-di-essed 
gv^ntlemen,  both  in  middle  life  They  were 
talking  earnestly,  and  halted  just  beyond  car- 
shot  to  complete  what  they  had  to  say.  Then, 
without  waiting  to  be  introduced  to  Jeff's 
friends,  they  bade  him  gootl-day,  and  hurried 
down  the  path  to  whoio  their  horses  wore  wait- 


Pi 


n 


:5ur. 


rni-:  vouyG  gold  seekers. 


Hr. 


n 


ing,  Jiiid  lost  IK)  tiin(3   in  returning  to  Djiwsou 
City. 

'' (r(3t  rojidv  to  I'ollor, "  was  the  curt  com- 
iiiaiid  of  JclF;  jiiid  williiii  the  following  hour 
tlio  whole  ])iirty,  including  the  d(>nkcy,  wci'con 
1h(M't>:(d.  'I'iicy  w('i(>  ci>ni|)i'll('d  to  spiMul  one 
of  the  short  nights  in  c.inip,  l)nt  rcacluMl  Daw- 
son Citv  without  th(;  slin-htest  molestation  from 
anv  oiH!  or  the  loss  of  a  dollai"'s  woith  of  mAd. 
As  .lelf  had  announced  his  intention,  they 
hi'oui'iit  away  onlv  their  auriferous  harvest  and 
such  clothing  as  was  on  their  hodii^s.  At  the 
hot(d  he  held  another  long  interview  with  the 
two  gentlemen  who  had  called  on  him  at  the 
diggings;  and  the  Ih'st  steamer  down  the  Yukon, 
which  was  now  fairly  open,  horo  among  its 
hundreds  of  j)assengers  .T(»(f  Graham,  Tim 
^rcCal)e,  Rosw(dl  Palmei',  and  Frank  Mansley. 
The  combined  gold  of  the  foi'tunate  passengers 

on  that  trill  must  luive  amounted  to  nearlv  a 

1  1/ 

million  dollars. 

Some  weeks  later  .Telf  and  Tim  were  seated 
alone  ill  one  of  tin*  I'ooms  at  the  Palace  Hotel, 
San  Francisco.  They  had  met  by  appointment 
to  close  up  the  business  which  had  taken  them 
into  the  Klondike  region. 


coxcL  rsiox 


307 


^    '•y.m   law,    Tin.,"    s.i,,    th.oh,    „ine., 

liiii  nod,!,.,!  liis  lie;,,!, 
f  was  ;M\';nv  of  tlw>  w.,,,,..   K  .,■ 

niaiK    .•III, I    \\(>'('(>   ,.nf  i"t  |,wl     f         c     • 

"•t'tl".!  tr>  faiiMvaovs  f,.,.  l.ilp. 
in,i.-aii(!  no  m,,iv/'  ' 

Tho   ,o,,,„.,„ns  ,lis.v,„n,|   „!■  ,,„  Hn,i,„   t„  „ 
^WoHUl,.n,.|Hi„dt,u..lu,d.rwr,. 

"  SoM.o  folks  ,„io.l,t,  ti,ink  tlu.t  u-uv,  l,„t  I 
rto"  t.     :t  „„,  .,  spoclnfi,,,,  on  ,nv  pa,-l       It 

didn't-.  /./»w.f  ,.,....1.  .  .  .      1        .       lu 


didn't  cost  111  lie! 


so  tlint  don't  count.      I  I 


>  to  .,.t  us  to  tl,o  Jvlondilcc,  and 


^"J'^t  all   tho  o-o!d   u'o   l),-,>uo.l 
'>^'<^u  paid   one  liundrcl  and 


'«iV(^  dclivci'(Ml  to  th 


0 


uive 


doll 


u's  t'oj-  it.      You  U 


't  back,  and  1 
tw^inty  thousand 


tho  t 


^yo  mon  that  visited 


'lou'  what  was  done  1 


)V 


The  I 


Hs  at  the  di 


^'i^'ino's  ? 


•ji ' 


'"'H^j'ht  out  vour  el 


n-es  an,]  .nosilf  ],a,l  tho  i.loaThartl 


inn 


5? 


lev 


h  1 


That's  it.      r 


country  before  the  summer  fairly 


was  anxious  to  get  out  of  the 


mosquitoes 

dirt  ]:)anned 

'"-es  in   a  few   weeks,    but    we   1 


ate  us  up  alive.     Fi 
out,  we  should  have  been  mill 


set  in  and  the 
■om  the  way  the 


Tl 


^'^'-nin't  many  men  as  known 


lon- 


iad   enouirh, 


ten  \]]"v  h 


ive 


f^OS 


TUK  YOVSC  COhl)  SFEKERS. 


!     ( 


♦MioUii'li,''  u'as  tli(5  |)liil()S()|)hic;il  ()l)sorvation  of 
Jcir.  •'  r  do,  so  I  sold  mv  claim  foi'  a  liiindi-ed 
and  ('i;^iity  tliousand  doliai's.  As  I  ji^-iirci  out, 
tliat  makes  the  total  tlnvc  liuiidrcd  thousand 
dollai's,  which,  divided  amoiiL;'  us  I'oui',  givo^ 
each  scvcntydivc  thousand  d<jllars.  How  does 
that  sti'ikc  vou,  Tim  ?" 

''  Ft  almost  knocks  mc  olT  my  chair,  if  you 
mean  it.'' 

"  The  l)ovs  l)oin!>'  und<M'  aij-e,  \  liavo  turned 
over  tlieii' shai'es  to  tluMr  pai'ents  ;  and  do  you 
know,'' adth'd  dell',  with  an  ex])i'cssion  (^f  dis- 
gust, '*  thev  hoth  ILxlmI  thinii's  so  as  to  a'o  to 
coUcgi^  y  You  wouldn't  beliin'c  it,  but  it^s  the 
fact,  llowsumever,  it\s  tluMi'  business,  and  I 
ain't  sayiny  anytl.*'iu'.  Say,  Tim.  you  liain"'t 
any  idea  of  going  to  v .  '  ^"e  ?"  askinl  Jelf, 
looking  across  at  his  fi'iend  with  a  startled  ex- 
pression. 

''  T  won't  unless  ve  will  o-o  w  kl  me.  How 
does  that  strike  ye  ?" 

Jeff's  shoulders  bobbed  up  and  down  with 
silent  laughter,  and  immediately  he  became 
serious  again. 

"  As  soon  as  you  sign  this  paper,  Tim,  I  shall 
give  you  a  certified  chcok  Uyc  sovcnty-five  thou- 


CONVHstON. 


3uy 


ScUKl  (lolliirs  on   th..   liank   uf  (Vliforny.      A.v 
you  iviulv  to  si. '11  '^'* 

'•  I'll  siui,  n„.  nwn  ,|,,al,  warraiil  r,,r  that 
tnll(^-  .v|.il.Ml  T„n,  j.is  rosy  facr  a-lou.  asj.e 
f.'iuo'lit  uj)  the  j)('n. 

'*  Iie;i(l  it  tii'st." 

His  fri(»ii(l  I'l'jid  : 

''  I  Timothy  McCah..,  h<Mvl)y  ,,UMlo-n  ,nv 
sacml  honor  iu.t  t(.  t;,st..  a  ,h..p  nf  ."ah  oV 
sinritiious  hcjuor.  even  on  the  a.lvic--  ..f  ;.  phvsi- 
cijui  Wiio  may  .Icdaiv  iL  i.rcvssary  to  save  mv 
Hf(UVom  th(,Mhit<.orthosio.nino-orthisj,l,Mlo.e 
until  tl.o  Fourth  nf  July,  ,.,..  thousaml  nin. 
hun(lr(3(l  jiud  seven." 


As  T 


iiu  ,n-athej'(Ml   ti 


(■'■-f. 


tl 


"'  iHcanino'  of  th 


<'  \voi'( Is 


H3 


paper,  his  vvi^r,  expanded  ;  h.'  puekcivd 


Jiis  lips  and  eniitte<l  a  1 
''Do  ye  luind,"  h 


cu'  whistle. 
<'  said,  lookiu! 


table  with  his  old 


across  tlu 


<|iiizzieal  expression,  ''  the 


r-'^/-i^,ii  vApri^ssion,  "  tiie  re- 
mark that  the  gov.Tuor  of  North  Carlinv  made 


to  th 


Jeff 


og'overnor  (»r  Soutli  Carlinv? 


?? 


ir 


niv(^ly  inehned  liis  iiead. 


(( 


a 


I've  Iieerd  of  it. 
What  d 


o    Vc 


the  time  l)(^tw 


pose  li(^  u'ould  have  said  if 


(vn  drinks  \vas  tc 


r 


n  vears  T 


ve  never  thouo-ht,  and  don't 


care. 


M 


t , 


•i'w  ■ 


I  i 
1- 1 


I  I 


\  I 


i 

m 

te 

310 


Ti/A'  rO(7xVG'  G'o/,/>  SEEKERS, 


*'He  would  have  died  long  before  the  time 
was  up.'' 

"  When  you  left  the  boys  in  the  diggings  you 
came  to  Dawson  City  to  s])ond  the  worth  of 
that  nugget  for  wliiskey.  I  liappened  to  meet 
you  in  time  and  made  you  go  back  witli  me. 
You'd  been  off  on  sprees  a  half  dozen  otlier 
times,  if  I  hadn't  ke])t  an  eve  on  von.  Drink 
is  the  eneniv  that  )vill  down  vou  if  vou  don't 
stop  at  once.  If  you  u  stuy  sobei'  foi'  ten  years, 
rU  take  the  chances  after  that.  An?  you  going 
to  sign?" 

Tim's  eyes  were  fixed  on  the  ])apei'  wliicli  lie 
held  in  his  hand,  lie  .nused  loud  eiunigli  for 
the  listeninij:  Jeff  to  catch  everv  word  : 

'"  To  sign  that  means  no  more  headaches  and 
bad  health,  but  a  clear  brain  and  a  stronii*  body; 
no  more  hours  of  gloom,  no  weakness  of  the 
hmbs  and  ])ricks  of  the  cc^iscience  ;  no  more 
breakini>'  the  heai't  of  me  u-ood  old  mother  in 
Ireland,  but  the  bringing  of  sunshine  an<l  joy 
to  her  in  her  last  davs  ;  it  means  the  sio-ninti- 
away  of  me  slavery,  and  tlie  clas])ing  to  me 
heart  of  the  swate  boon  of  liberty  ;  it  means 
the  making  of  niesilf  into  a  man  !"' 

With  a  firm  liand  he  wrote  his  njune  at  the 


cosc'Lisioy. 


311 


bottom  of  the  paper,   and  flingino-  down  the 
]>en,  said  : 

"  AVith  God's  help,  that  pledge  shall  be  kept." 

'•  Amen,"  roverently  responded  Jeff;  -  there  s 

your  check  for  seventy-live  thousand  dollars  " 


THTl  ENI> 


■  I 


■  it 


■n 


; 


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STORIES  FOR  GIRLS 


)   • 


1 1 


ii:-n 


I  ! 


n 


'ii 


TheFerry  cMaidofthe  Chattahoochee 


"By  cAnnie  §M,  "Barnes 


Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 


An  heroic  little  Georv^ia  ^irl,  in  her  father's  extremity,  takes 
charge  of  hirs  ferry,  and  through  many  vicissitudes  and  several 
impending  calamities,  succeeds  in  carrying  out  her  purjxjsc;  oi 
supporting  her  invalid  parent  and  his  f^imily.  The  heroinr's 
cheerfulness  and  hearty  good  humor,  combined  with  an  un- 
flinching zeal  in  her  determination  to  accomplish  her  work, 
make-  a  character  which  cr->rot  fail  to  appeal  to  young  people. 

cA  cMaid  of  tfii.  First  Century 

^y  Lucy  Foster  cMadt'son  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

A  little  maid  of  Palestine  goes  in  search  <jf  her  father,  who, 
for  political  reasons,  has  been  taken  as  a  slave  to  Rome.  She 
is  shipwrecked  in  the  Mediterranean,  but  is  rescued  by  a 
passing  vessel  Ixnnul  for  Britain.  Eve  ntually  an  opportunity  is 
afforded  her  for  going  to  Rome,  where,  after  many  trying  and 
exciting  experiences,  she  and  her  father  are  united  and  his 
liberty  is  restored  to  him. 

cMy  Lady  barefoot 

'By  cMrs,  Evelyn  Raymond  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

A  beautifully  told  story  o\  the  trials  of  a  little  backwoods  girl 
who  lives  in  a  secluded  place  with  an  eccentric  uncle,  until  his 
death.  The  privations  she  undergoes  during  his  life-time,  her 
search  for  other  relatives,  her  rather  imcongenial  abode  with 
them,  her  return  to  lur  early  home  to  acquire  her  uncle's 
estate,  and  thus  to  enjoy  a  useful  and  hapi)y  life,  form  a  most 
interesting  narrative  of  a  girl  whose  ruggedness  and  simplicity 
of  character  must  appeal  to  the  admiration  of  all  readers. 


ochee 

I  Waugh 

ty,  takes 
1  several 

r])OS(;  (,! 

leroijK-'s 
ail  1111- 

^r  work, 
people. 

Waugh 

?r,  who. 
e.  She 
J  by  a 
unity  is 
ng  and 
md  his 


W'augh 

ds  girl 
nil  his 
lie,  her 
e  with 
incle's 
i  most 
plicity 
s. 


^Dorothy  T>ay 

-Sy  Julie  m.  Lippmann  Illustrated  by  Ida  W^ugh 

I  l.'s  .s  a  nmst  intercsling  story  uf  a  hri.^h,  a„,l  spirit,-,!  y„u„. 

«.lwh„sc  wKowc.,1  „uHlu.r  rc-ntarries.     Tl,,.  impulsive    .irl 

.-■i;  fes  under  tlt.  new  r,  Iat,.,nsl,ip,  being  unw ,,  to  si,; re 

v.tl.  another  the  bounteous  love  of  her  ntother  which  sh.  a,1 
'■  .ne,l  to  clann  wholly  for  her  own.    By  the  exer<-ise  „f ,.  " 

.ae    and  kn.dness,  the  obdurate  Dorothy  is  at  last  won  ^ ler 

and  berames  a  most  estimable  Kirl. 

^iss  Wildfire 

^y  Julie  m.  Lippmann  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

n.e  story  of  a. uoverness- attempt  t„  ,,„,  ^,,,  ,„^.,^  ,„„,  ,o„fi. 
lence  o,  her  wartl.  who.  owin.,  to  a  laek  of  early  restra  u    s 

nchne,    to  he  somewhat  of  a  hoyden.     The  ,le  e ,.  u  of 

he  K.rls  character  n,„l  her  eventual  victory  ov.r  hlr  ..nlm- 
lent  d,spos,t,on  co.nbine  to  f„nn  a  story  of  unusual  nnri,  and 

label  ,  1  '"'  "  ""'-^  '"="  '^^^^"^-^  ''  --'I  -i'l-ut 
labehng  o  tasK„,g  ,t  at  the  end."  -  !,/„/,^„  ChnUian 
Advocate.  Cmciimati,  O.  ,-'"-"««« 

cAn  Odd  little  Lass 

'By  Jessie  E.  Wright  Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

Tins  ,s  a  story  of  the  regeneration  of  a  little  street  waif  She 
begtns  hfe  ,„  a  lowly  court  of  a  large  citv.  Her  ad^v„t,nes 
are  numerous  and  often  quite  exciting.  '  .^fter  a  tin,  he 
s  transplanted  to  the  country,  where  alter  ntan^•  ,h  il,  1 
experiences  she  eventually  grows  into  a  useful  and  lo  1  it 
young  woman.  The  story  is  pleasantly  ,ol,|,  an,l  abou  is 
m  mterestmg  incident.  aoounds 

•■  The  stot-y  is  an  intensely  inte.esting  one,  and  abo.ntds  in 
Plea^stngandun.que  situations. "-^.A^/,,,,  rCescope,  l.ay.,>n 


I ; 


^i!l 


T<LUO  Wyoming  Girls 

*By  cMrs,  Carrie  L,  cMarshall        Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 

Two  ^irls,  thrown  upon  their  own  icsoiirccs,  are  obliged  to 
'*  prove  up  "  their  homestead  claim.  This  would  be  no  very 
serious  matter  were  it  not  lor  the  persecution  of  an  imscrii- 
pulous  neighbor,  who  wishes  to  appropriate  the  property  to 
his  own  use.  The  girls  endure  many  privations,  have  a  num- 
ber of  thrilling  adventures,  but  finally  secure  the''  claim  and 
are  generally  well  rewarded  for  their  courage  and  persever- 


ance. 


The  Girl  T^nchers 

"By  SMrs,  Carrie  L,  ^Marshall        Illustrated  By  Ida  Waugh 

A  story  of  life  on  a  sheep  ranch  in  Montana.  The  dangers 
and  difficulties  incident  to  such  a  life  are  vividly  pictured,  and 
the  interest  in  the  story  is  enhanced  by  tlie  fact  that  the  ranch 
is  managed  almost  entirely  by  two  yotuig  girls.  By  their 
energy  and  pluck,  coupled  with  courage,  kindness,  and  un- 
selfishness they  succeed  in  disarming  the  animosity  of  the 
neighboring  cattle  ranchers,  and  their  enterprise  eventually 
results  successfully. 

c^n  Every-Day  Heroine 


^y  cMary  cA*  Venison 


Illustrated  by  Ida  Waugh 


The  heroine  is  not  an  impossible  character  but  only  a  pure, 
winsome,  earnest  girl,  who  at  fourteen  years  of  age  is  sud- 
denly bereft  of  fortune  and  father  and  becomes  the  chief  sup- 
port of  a  semi-invalid  mother.  While  there  are  many  touciiing 
scenes,  the  story  as  a  whole  is  bright  and  cheerful  and  moves 
forward  with  a  naturalness  and  ease  that  carries  its  read- 
ers along  and  makes  them  reluctant  to  put  down  the  book 
until  the  end  is  reached. 


Her  College  Days 

'By  SMrs.  CMe  Johnson  IllusMed  by  Ida  Vi^^ugf, 

Th.s  |s  a  most  i„te,-esti„K^  a,„l  hcaltl.lul  u,k-  of  a  rIHs  life  in  •. 
New  hnoland  college.     Tl,e  ,r„s.r„l  an.l  unbounded  love  o' 
t  K.  l,e,o.„e  for  I.er  n.oti.er  and  the  nuuual  and  .self-sacHHcin 
cevot,on  of  the  nuHl,e..  to  the  daugluer  are  .o  1,       X 

onir  hfr':  .rr'^' °^™^^^"<^^-^ -■''--'•"« -™'-' 


STORIES  FOR 'BOYS 

Uncrowning  a  King 

Sy  Edwards.  Ellis,  cA.  SM.  IllusMedbyJ.  Steeple  ^a-vis 
A  tale  of  the  Indian  war  waged  by  King  Philip  in  ,67>;  The 
adventures^o  the  young  hero  during  that  evitful  periocl  h 
efforts  u,  behalf  of  the  attacked  towns,  his  cap.u'e  by  the 
nd,a„s,  and  h,s  subsequent  release  through  the  efforts  of 
K,ng  Philip  himself,  with  a  vivid  account  of'the  tra^     ^ 

■ns    :^ti:rr"        "?""  '^''^"-  ^°""  ^  ■"-'  imeres.i„         a 
instructive  story  of  the  early  days  of  the  colonies. 

The  Young  Gold  Seekers 

'By  Ed'ward  S.  Ellis,  c4.  SM.  niusirMed  by  F.  ^.  Carter 
A  thrilling  account  of  the  experiences  of  two  boys  during  a 
trip  to  the  go  d  fields  of  Alaska.  The  hardsWps  that  "hey 
endure,  the  disappointments  they  suffer,  the  courage  and 
perseverance  that  they  manifest  in  the  face  of  seeming"v 
instn-mountable  obstacles,  and  their  eventual  success  in  t^t 
undertaking,  are  ail  most  graphically  portrayed. 


^rue  to  His  Trust 

"By  Edward  S,  Ellis,  c/l.  m.  Illustrated  by  J,  Steeple  'Da'vls 

The  Ikto  of  this  siory  will  win  his  way  at  once  into  the  heart 
of  every  one,  and  his  pluck  and  perseverance  will  carry  the 
symi)athy  of  every  reader  through  his  many  adventures,  strug- 
gles,  and  sin.nular  experiences.  Like  all  of  the  author's  works, 
the  incidents  teach  in  the  most  convincing  manner  that  true 
manliness  and  sturdy  integrity  are  the  only  principles  through 
which  happiness  and  success  in  life  are  possible. 


Comrades  True 

©3)  Edward  5.  Ellis,  <A.  8M.  Illusirated 

In  following  the  career  of  two  friends  from  youth  to  manhood, 
the  aulhor  weaves  a  narrative  of  intense  interest.  This 
story  is  more  realistic  than  i  usual,  as  the  two  heroes  pass 
through  the  calamitous  forest  fires  in  Nortl  rn  Minnesota  and 
barely  escajK'  with  their  lives.  They  have  other  thrilling  ad- 
ventures and  experiences  in  which  the  characteristics  of  each 
are  fmely  portrayed. 

"  Among  juveniles  there  is  not  one  of  greater  interest,  or 
more  wholesome  inO  ence  than  '  Comrades  True.*  " — Sentinel, 
Milwaukee,  Wis. 

(Among  the  Esquimaux 


'Bv  Edward  S.  Ellis,  cA.  8M. 


niusiraied 


The  scenes  of  this  story  are  laid  in  the  Arctic  region,  the  cen- 
tral characters  being  two  sturdy  boys  whose  adventurous  spirit 
often  leads  them  into  dangerous  positions.  They  visit  Green- 
land ;  go  on  a  hunting  expedition,  have  a  number  of  stirring 
adventures,  but  ultimately  reach  home  safe  and  sound. 

"  A  capital  and  instructive  book  for  boys." — Post,  Boston, 
Mass. 


'The  Campers  Out 

'B^  Edward  S.  Ellis,  ^.  m.  m    ,    ,  j 

iu„„      r  ,  llhisl rated 

Many  of  the  scenes  are  so  vividly  ,K,seril,e,l  ,l,.„    ,|. 

can  n,,, is  i„,a,i„,,„„,  ,„j.,^.,,^.  L^ei^e;::,:',, ,  :,:;';::, 

"  Well  planned  and  well  written      Full  .,r.  i 

c4t  the  Siege  of  Quebec 


^y  James  Otis 


Illustrated  by  F.  cA.  Carter 


'p        1  -^  ■*  *  *^^»  \jd.rier 

Canadian  l.order      Thev  w,,',  "  ''"  '■°"'"  '"'"•  '^e 

oners  before  On;i,ec     Vl  e    e        ' '"""T""'  ""  ""'•"'"  >-'■- 

astrous  assault,  ,v|,ie,,  eo  t  t  e  ' "hnt  GeV'TV;"'  ""'  '"• 
his  life,  are  in  the  highest  <legree  '  ng    . ^n    '^T'' 

time  true  in  every  particular.  ""=  ''""* 


®y  /amei  Otis 


c4nd/s  Ward 


Ulusirahd 


lou-er.  whose  wi'fe.t  "^V,i  aTarcTrn  ''  '  ^^™^''-™-^'- 
its  management      The  rest  ^f  ,7    ,'        f^"'    "  ^ifusted  with 

nicU-nan^ed   the  "  M    o- •    f^T 'X"''"'-' '"^'"'''^^ '->  ^^^f' 
stWe  Which  has  wLt  th^or  '^'J^hTh^oft:^-^  °' 


)    ' 


'!'-^ 


^y  James  Otis 


Chasing  a    Yacht 


Htusiraied 


A  scmi-nauiiral  talc  of  advciuuic  aboiu  boys,  written  for  boys, 
and  will  certainly  l)c  appreciated  by  boys  wherever  they  may 
be  found.  Tile  story  of  how  the  heroes,  two  briglit,  manly 
lellows,  built  a  steam  yacht,  how  she  was  stolen  from  tluni, 
and  how  they  eventually  rcji;-ained  possession  of  her,  is  full  ol 
life  and  is  replete  with  exciting  and  interesting  incident. 

"  Boys  who  do  not  read  this  volume  with  real  pleasure  must 
be  hard  to  suit." — Journal,  Minneapolis,  Minn. 

T/ie  ^raganza  diamond 

^y  James  Otis  Illustraied 

A  volume  that  will  hold  its  readers  spell-bound  as  tiiey  follow 
the  two  boy  characters  and  the  bright,  courageous  girl  in 
their  search  for  the  famous  diamond.  Much  useful  information 
is  incidentally  conveyed  and  many  things  with  which  few 
persons  are  familiar  are  explained. 

"  It  will  rivet  the  attention  of  young  readers  as  much  as  Rob- 
inson Crusoe." — Call,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 


On  Wood  Coloe  Island 

^y  Etbridge  S,  brooks       Illustrated  by  Frederic  J*  ^ston 

.\  trio  of  bright  New  England  children  are  given  an  island 
on  which  to  spend  their  summer  vacation.  Here  they  es- 
tablish a  little  colony,  the  management  of  which  gives  them 
a  large  amount  of  amusement  and  at  times  causes  some 
seemingly  serious  difficulties.  In  the  solution  of  their  per- 
plexing problems  the  young  people  receive  much  encourage- 
ment and  counsel  from  the  poet  Longfellow,  whose  delightful 
acquaintance  they  form  in  a  very  unexpected  and  amusing 
manner. 

8 


ntusiraied 

211  for  boys, 
r  tlu'y  may 
iglit,  manly 
from  them, 
sr,  is  full  ol 
dent, 
asure  must 


niastraied 

hey  follow 
us  girl  in 
1  formation 
vhich  few 

h  as  Rob- 


L  'Bosion 

an  island 
they  es- 
ives  them 
5es  some 
heir  per- 
icourage- 
deh'ghtful 
amusing 


